LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 





'\\\t»^v^v^»ym\^vv^vv^^^ 





\3W% 




p- 



CALIFORNIA. 



--«> ITS ATTRACTIONS FOR ®^.. . 

W>he iealfeh See^ep, §§me See^ep, §>p©Pfesrapp|, 

a^d Capitalist;. 



Its Gold, Silveb, Quicksilvee and Coal Mines. Its Timbee Resoueces and Rapid Development 

IN THE PEODUCTION OF WlNE, RAISINS, TEMPERATE AND SeMI-TeOPICAL FRUITS, HONEY, 

Dairy Products, Cattle. Sheep, Hogs, Wools, etc., etc. Its 

Magnificent Mountain Scenery and Unlimited 

Field foe Hunting and Fishing. 



COMPILED FROM MOST RELIABLE SOURCES 



BY 



M. THEO; KEARNEY, 







SAN FRANCISCO: 
A L. Bancroft & Co., Peinters and Publishers, 721 Market Street, 

1883. 



-igri. 



* € « , . , 

• « 1 < < ■ 



► * .« « 



■ ' < , 



9 « 



^*:f 



AVING- unbounded faith in the future wealth of Fresno County, which — 
now lying dormant — needs but enterprise and capital to develope it ; 
and, believing that a fair statement of this county's resources, however 
incomplete, will benefit those who receive and act upon its suggestions, 
as well as those already having interests in the county, I have compiled 
and published this pamphlet. 



Much repetition could be avoided by condensing and writing in one article the sub- 
stance of the following pages, but as such an article would be open to the suspicion that 
it might be colored, or the statements exaggerated from interested motives, I have 
preferred to give the statements of others, just as they were written, who are competent 
judges and entirely disinterested. While the subject of each article is the same, yet all 
the articles will well repay a careful perusal, as there are many points touched upon by 
each writer, that are not referred to by any other. 




It will be noticed that, considering the variety of sources of these statements, the 
writers are exceptionally unanimous in their judgment in favor of Fresno County. It 
is, therefore, only necessary for those in search of health, or of opportunities for making- 
money, to test the matter by a personal examination of that portion of our favored 
State. 



M. T. K. 



~3T 



a^od^J^fes,® 



S^S^j^P^ 



"!&- 

.m*" 



FRESNO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. 



[From J. P. H. Wentworth's Resources of California for Jan- 
uary, 1883— Published monthly— San Francisco.] 



Fresno is the third county in area in the State, con- 
taining 5,600,000 acres of surface. Of this vast 
territory 4,400,000 acres may be classed as mountainous 
and pasture lands, and about 1,200,000 as agricultural 
and fruit lands. This county lies between the 36th 
and 37th degrees of latitude, and is very nearly the 
central part of California, extending northeasterly and 
southwesterly a distance of 120 miles, and its average 
breadth is something over 65 miles. It is bounded 
north by Merced and Mariposa, east by Mono and 
Inyo, south by Tulare, and west by San Benito and 
Monterey counties. The summit of the Sierras forms 
its eastern boundary, the summit of the Coast Range 
its western, and the general course of the Chowchilla 
river its northern, and King's river its southern bound- 
ary. The central portion of the county comprises a 
large part of the great San Joaquin valley, its lowest 
portion contains about 300,000 acres of marsh and low 
lands, formed by the waters of King's river, and during 
high water being partly covered with the mingled 
waters of King's and San Joaquin rivers. The eastern 
two-fifths of the county is mountainous comprising 
the highest portion of the Sierra range, and the most 
elevated mountain region in the United States, extend- 
ing from Mount Lyell, on the north, to Mount Tyndall, 
on the south, a distance along the range of over 100 
miles. Within this region rises the Fresno, San 
Joaquin and King's rivers, amid perpetual banks of 
snow and ice. Fresno contains forty living glaciers, 
some of these lying under the crest of the Palisades, 
being some two miles in length; and, also, many of 
the loftiest peaks in America; Mount Goddard, Mount 
King, Mount Gardner and Mount Tyndall are upwards 
of 14,000 feet above the sea-level, while a large num- 
ber of other peaks approach very nearly that height. 
There is no pass over the summit less than 9,000 feet 
above sea-level. 

On the westerly slopes of these ranges are found 
some of the heaviest bodies of timber in the State, and 
in several localities groves of the big trees, or " sequoia 
gigantea, " in which some single trees are found measur- 
ing 120 feet in circumference. Of the 5,560 square 
miles of mountains in Fresno county at least four- 
fifths are in the Sierras. These may be divided into 
three distinct divisions or zones; the foot-hills border- 
ing the plains and extending back from twenty to 
thirty miles to the distinctly outlined pine ridge or 
timber belt. These foot-hills commence at an eleva- 
tion of 200 feet and are covered with scattered oaks, 
increasing gradually, as the mountains proper are 



neared, to 2,000 and 2,500 feet, when they suddenly 
rise to an elevation of from 4,000 to 5,000 feet, and are 
covered with a heavy growth of pine timber. The 
timber belt reaches back from 30 to 40 miles at an ele- 
vation of some 10,000 feet, the higher regions being 
covered only by dwarfed and scattered tamarack. The 
high Sierras proper cover a belt of about 30 miles; are 
nearly devoid of brush or timber, and are broken into 
deep chasms, jagged and lofty peaks, ancient glaciers, 
basins and present fields of ice and snow. As it is the 
highest, so it is the wildest and most interesting 
mountain region in the United States. The geological 
formation of the entire mountain chains is as diversi- 
fied as the fauna or flora. 

The foot-hill regions are generally granite, cut 
across from north to south, or southwesterly, by occa- 
sional seams of slate and frequent narrow seams of 
quartz. In some sections large masses of white, flinty 
quartz are found, and in these localities the hills are 
covered with reddish clay. There are no extensive 
placers, and the numerous small ones that have been 
worked are, as a rule, confined to the foot-hills. 

Gold-bearing quartz has been found throughout the 
range. Generally, when the range is broken by seams 
of slate, the several mines, opened and being opened, 
promise well. Likewise, mines of copper have been 
found, and one or more of them worked. The higher, 
or timber range, is less broken than the foot-hills, 
though the ravines are deeper and the geological for- 
mations more varied. The soil, generally, is darker 
and richer. Small meadows and marshes are numer- 
ous, and water is found in every ravine. North of the 
San Joaquin is an elevated, comparatively level, tim- 
bered plateau, reaching back well toward the summit, 
over which a railroad line has been surveyed, designed 
to become part of an eastern route. Between the San 
Joaquin and King's rivers the country is more broken, 
the evidences of both volcanic and glacial action more 
abundant, and the varieties of rocks and minerals more 
numerous. 

The Coast Range — or, more properly speaking, the 
Mount Diablo Range, there being a valley (the San 
Benito) between the Mount Diablo and Coast Range 
proper — begins about twenty miles from the San 
Joaquin river, and is about twenty miles from the 
plains to the summit. The first ten miles are low hills, 
devoid of timber, but covered with grass; thence to 
the summit the hills are more abrupt, covered with 
scrubby oak, and, in many places, with a dense growth 
of chaparral. The streams are the big and little 
Panoche; the Cantwa and Poso Chino are the only 
streams flowing toward the San Joaquin, which di- 
vides the county into two unequal parts, about one- 
third being on the west side of the river. All the 
streams on the west side of the San Joaquin sink soon 
after reaching the plains. 



FRESNO COUNTY, CALIF&MF/M, 



Fresno county has 2.092,800 acres, a little over one- 
third of its total area, lying in what is known as the 
great San Joaquin valley. This valley, calculating 
from the Sacramento river south to Fort Tejon, has a 
length of about 250 miles and an average breadth of 
about 50. Kern lake, at the extreme southern portion 
of the valley, has an elevation of 282 feet above sea- 
level, and 200 miles from the mouth of the San Joa- 
quin. Its waters connect, by a series of sloughs and 
small lakes, with the waters of Buena Vista and 
Tulare lakes, which latter has an elevation of 200 feet 
and an area of 700 square miles. Tulare lake connects 
with the San Joaquin river by Fresno slough, about 60 
miles north. From Tulare lake north to the Sacra- 
mento river, the valley has a nearly uniform fall of a 
little more than one foot to the mile in its lowest de- 
pression, while the slopes from the foot-hills, on either 
side, toward the center, average about six feet to 
the mile. The valley portion of Fresno county occu- 
pies a section about 60 miles square. Several distinct 
regions are formed, distinct in rain-fall, distinct in soil, 
distinct as to depth and character of water, and the 
general facilities for irrigation and cultivation. The 
territory of the east side is about twice the area of the 
west. Fresno county affords almost every variety of 
soil, and a dozen varieties may be found often within 
an area of two miles square. As a rule, the nearer 
the hills the harder the land, though there are some 
exceptions. Along the foot-hills, from the San Joa- 
quin river, south, are several miles of red clay land, 
mixed with the white quartz, as much like the Malaga 
grape lands of Spain as can be. Strips of this land 
extend as far down the plains as Fresno. The great 
bulk of the plain land of the entire eastern slope, how- 
ever, is a soft, sandy loam, mixed with clay, sand, de- 
cayed animal and vegetable matter, iron and other 
mineral salts. Generally speaking, the San Joaquin 
valley lands are free from alkali. The country lying 
west of the San Joaquin river is unlike that on the 
east; while much of the land is black and rich, but the 
small amount of rainfall and apparent impossibility of 
obtaining water, even for drinking purposes, make 
this region practically a desert. A large canal has 
been constructed by Messrs. Miller & Lux, which has 
brought several thousand acres under cultivation. 

FRESNO CITY. 

On the first of May, 1872, nearly 11 years ago, the 
railroad company formally located the town, which is 
situated near the geographical center of the county, 
on the line of the Southern Pacific Railroad, 195 miles 
southeast from San Francisco. This bustling little 
city now has 2,000 inhabitants, and, in the amount of 
business done and general thrift, she rivals many of 
the towns of California of double her age and popula- 
tion. The colonies of Fresno county, are nearly all in 
the vicinity of Fresno city; the oldest is the Central 
California colony, which dates back to June 1, 1875, 
when six square miles of land were selected as the site 
of this enterprise. The land lies in close proximity to 
the line of the Southern Pacific railroad, and two and 
a half miles south from Fresno city. This land was 
divided into 192 farms of 20 acres each. Each lot was 
surveyed with reference to its being commanded by 
water ditches, and gates were constructed. The first 
settlers began to make their improvements in the fall 
of 1875. At present there are about 86 families resid- 
ing in the colony. Immediately adjoining the above 
lies the Washington Irrigating colony, which em- 
braces 11 square miles. This is laid out into 20-acre 
tracts. The land is nearly level, inclining toward the 
west. The soil is a rich, sandy loam. Here is nOw 
a population of about 350 people. Between the first 
named colony and the city of Fresno lies the Fresno 
colony, which, like its predecessors, has been subdi- 
vided into 20-acre tracts. About three miles north- 



east of Fresno we came to the Scandinavian Home 
colony, consisting of 1,925 acres, which is divided into 
96 lots, of 20 acres each. With each lot is sold a per- 
petual water right for purposes of irrigation. 

SELMA 

Is about fifteen miles from Fresno. This thriving 
town now has a population of 500. The country is 
nearly level, and the Centerville and Kingsburg canal 
passes through the outskirts of the town. About six 
miles south of Selma the third largest town, 

KINGSBURG, 

Is reached, which . is situated a short distance from 
King's river, on the line of the Southern Pacific rail- 
road. This place contains about 400 inhabitants, and 
is located in a fine agricultural country, level as a 
floor. 

MADERA 

Is situated 23 miles northwest from Fresno. It is at this 
point where tourists leave the train and take the stage 
for Yosemite valley. The other towns in the county 
are Centerville, Buchanan, and Toll House. The 
entire population of Fresno county is 12,000. 



EXTRACT FROM "HARPER'S." 

[From an article in Harper's Monthly Magazine for November, 
1«82— New York.] 



The Southern Pacific railway has completed con- 
nections which give it a trans-continental route from 
San Francisco, across Arizona, New Mexico, and 
Texas, to New Orleans. It is promised that this is to 
introduce a new era in the prosperity of the State. 
Immigrants are to be brought in by steamer from 
Liverpool to New Orleans, and thence by rail at a rate 
not higher than that which it costs to reach the cen- 
tral West. The fares to California heretofore have 
been almost prohibitive of immigration. We find a 
wonderfully rich country, equal in extent, it is esti- 
mated, to New York, Pennsylvania, and all of New 
England put together, but containing as yet less than 
a million of people. The languid movement hither of 
the same valuable class of immigration which pours so 
rapidly into the West is ascribed by some alarmists to 
the presence of the Chinese. It is much more proba- 
bly due to the heavy cost of travel across the continent, 
and, large as the territory is, to the lack of cheap 
lands suitable for settlement. The Chinese are not 
rivals in the matter of taking up the land. They 
acquire little or none of it. As to wages, the prices of 
white labor, even with Chinese competition, remain 
higher on the Pacific slope than at the East. 

The new opportunities opened in the way of trans- 
portation, the depression of the mining interests, and 
the rapid increase in numbers of the Chinese, have 
awakened an exceptional interest in the subject of 
white immigration. A committee, comprising some of 
the most prominent men in the State, has been ap- 
pointed, and has opened an inquiry into the most 
effectual means of promoting it. It will no doubt set 
forth more clearly than it has ever been done before an 
account of such territory as is open to settlers, whether 
it is offered by the government, the railroads, or the 
great ranches, and its advantages and the methods of 
reaching it. It seems a little singular at first sight 
that a lack of suitable lands can be adduced as a prin- 
cipal reason for the lack of population in so vast a 
region, of the climate and other natural advantages of 
which so much has been said the world over. It can 
only be understood when we take into account the 
unusual atmospheric dryness, and the important part 
which has to be played by water brought upon the soil 



8 



FRESNO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. 






by artificial and costly means. The locations where 
there is sufficient natural moisture for the maturing of 
crops are of comparatively small extent. They were 
among the first taken up. In much of the central and 
southern portions of the State the annual rain-fall is 
almost an infinitesimal quantity. At Bakersfield, the 
capital of Kern County — whither our journey south- 
ward will presently lead us — it is no more than from 2 
to -4 inches. It is found that light crops of grain and 
pasturage for stock may occasionally be got even under 
these conditions. The only certain reliance in cultiva- 
tion, however, is in artificial irrigation. Works of the 
requisite importance would heretofore have been be- 
yond the means of a simply hard-working and thrifty 
class of immigrants like those who have gone into 
Iowa, Wisconsin, or Minnesota. 

The springs and small streams in the country were 
early appreciated at their full value, and seized upon 
by persons who control with them great tracts of the 
surrounding country, almost valueless except as wa- 
tered from these sources of supply. These tributary 
tracts are used chiefly as cattle and sheep ranges. A 
person owning five thousand acres of land will often 
have for his stock the run of twenty thousand. Cul- 
tivation is confined about the springs and water- 
courses, and is seen in a succession of charming oases 
in the midst of a desert, the superficial sterility of 
which is something phenomenal. The tenure of land 
in tracts of thousands of acres under a single owner- 
ship is a tradition descending from Spanish and Mexi- 
can times. It has been much decried as a great evil. 
It is said that the State would be much more prosper- 
ous if divided into a series of small farms. This is 
probably true, and the system as it exists may be 
ascribed in part to the overweening greed of individu- 
als. At the same time it arises in considerable part, 
as we have seen, out of the natural features of the 
country. The wealth and enterprise of the large 
farmers, too, enable them to undertake works of 
improvement, such as canal-making, drainage, and 
tree-planting, on the only scale that could be effectual. 
It may be that the State will have to lend its assist- 
ance, and establish a public system of irrigation and 
drainage, before the land to any very great extent can 
be prepared for the purposes of the small settler. 
Water ! water ! water ! How to slake the thirst of 
this parched, brown country, and turn it over to hon- 
est toil and thrift, is everywhere the great problem as 
we go southward. The processes of irrigation, and its 
distinctive marks upon the landscape, are the most 
salient peculiarities that greet the eye. 

It is in early November that we begin to traverse 
the long San Joaquin Valley from Lathrop Junction, 
just below Stockton, southward. The side tracks of 
the railroad are crowded with platform-cars laden 
with wheat for the sea-board. The " elevator " sys- 
tem is not yet in use, and the grain is contained in 
sacks for convenient handling. Hereabouts are some 
of the largest of the famous wheat ranches. A man 
will sometimes plough but a single furrow in a day, 
but this may be a furrow fifteen or twenty miles long. 
There is sufficient rain-fall for the cereals, but not 
enough for the more exacting crops. The land gives 
but few bushels to the acre under the easy system of 
farming, but there are a great many acres. The stub- 
ble of the grain fields is whitened now with flocks of 
wild fowl. At a way-station we see a small rustic in an 
immense pair of boots go over to a pool and blaze 
away with a shot-gun. Presently he returns, drag- 
ging by the necks an immense pair of wild geese, 
almost beyond his strength to pull. The tawny color 
of the fields, and the great formal stacks of straw 
looming up in them, recall some aspects of the central 
table-land of Mexico. Many and capacious barns and 
out-buildings are not necessary in the mild, dry cli- 
mate of California. The prosperous ranches have, in 



consequence, a somewhat thin and unfurnished appear- 
ance as compared with Eastern farms. 

The most prominent object at each successive rail- 
road station is a long, low warehouse provided by the 
company for the accommodation of grain. Like the 
station buildings generally, it is painted of a dark In- 
dian red, in " metallic " paint. The station of Merced 
is one of the two principal points of departure for the 
Yosemite Valley, Madera the other. At Merced' an 
immense wooden hotel for the accommodation of trav- 
elers bound for the valley, quite overshadows the small 
town. It rises close beside the track, while the town 
is scattered loosely back on the plain. At Madera is 
seen the end of a curious V-shaped wooden aqueduct, 
or flume, which brings down lumber from the moun- 
tains fifty miles or more away, and terminates in a 
planing-mill. Some of the hands employed in this 
work occasionally come down the flume also in tempo- 
rary V-shaped boats. As the speed is prodigious, 
these voyages abound in excitement and peril. The 
structure, supported on trestles of greater or less 
height, according to the formation of the ground, 
stretches away in an interminable perspective toward 
the mountains. These mountains turn to rose-pink, 
and then to solemn purple, at sunset. The scene is 
somehow suggestive of the Roman Campagna, with 
this slight and essentially American work as a whim- 
sical parody upon its broken aqueducts and temples of 
solid masonry. The lumber flume, however, is a very 
bold and costly enterprise, though we appear to smile 
at it. 

By degrees we draw away from the wheat ranches, 
and journey more and more on the uncultivated plain. 
The town of Fresno, two hundred miles below San 
Francisco, and about midway between two important 
streams, the San Joaquin and King's rivers, is in the 
midst of a particularly desolate tract, which, up to a 
very recent period, was known as the San Joaquin 
desert. One should alight here by all means. There 
is no better place for examining the really marvelous 
capabilities of a soil which appears at first sight inhos- 
pitable and unfruitful to the last degree. Fresno is in 
the hands of enterprising persons, who push and adver- 
tise it very actively. We heard at San Francisco of 
the Fresno colony, Central colony, the American 
colony, the Scandinavian colony, the Temperance 
colony, the Washington colony, and of others of simi- 
lar names clustered around Fresno. It was advertised 
as one of those genial places, alluring to the imagina- 
tions of most of us, where one could sit down under 
his own vine and fig-tree, secure from the vicissitudes 
of rigorous Northern climates. It was promised, too, 
that he could find a profitable career open to him in 
the cultivation of the fruits of the soil, and need not 
live a mere life of indolence ; and furthermore, that all 
could be secured at a moderate cost. The promise 
seems strictly true. The aspect of things is very dif- 
ferent from what had been expected, as is so often the 
case, but all the substantial advantages claimed are 
found within the reach of moderate purses. The pro- 
cess of founding a homestead and a tenure and position 
in the world may be witnessed in all its stages. 

The town has a population of 2,000, most of which 
it has gained in the past 5 years. It is set down on 
the east side of the railroad highway, with but a thin 
scattering of foliage to veil the squareness of its out- 
lines. It consists of a few streets of two-story wooden 
and brick buildings. The streets cross one another at 
right angles, and have planked sidewalks. A slight 
eminence above the general level has been chosen as 
the site of the county court-house, which somewhat 
resembles, an Italian villa in design, and has Italian 
cypresses in front of it. The court-houses of half a 
dozen counties down the line from Modesto, the capital 
of Stanislaus, to Bakersfield, are identical with this in 
pattern, so that it is both typical of its kind, and evi- 



FBMBMOn COW'MWT,, CALIFORNIA 



9 



dence of a conservative and economical spirit. A 
sharp distinctness of outline is characteristic generally 
of these cities of the plain. Separated from the main 
part of Fresno, as by a wide boulevard, is seen a long 
row of low wooden houses and shops, as clearly cut out 
against the encompassing desert as a row of bathing- 
houses on a beach. This is the Chinese quarter. Its 
isolation tells the story of the peculiar people who 
tenant it ; and of the feeling of social ostracism enter- 
tained toward them on the one hand, and their own 
unconquerable clannishness on the other. 

There is now hardly any hamlet so insignificant, even 
down in the wastes of Arizona, that the Chinese have 
not penetrated to it, in search of labor and opportuni- 
ties for profit. Almost every settlement of the Pacific 
slope has its Chinese quarter, as mediaeval towns had 
their Ghetto for the Jews. It is not always set with- 
out the rest of the place, as at Fresno ; but wherever 
it be, it constitutes a close corporation and a separate 
unit, unencroached upon by any other. Its people, in 
dress, language, and habit of life, adhere as closely to 
Oriental tradition as their new conditions will permit. 

Whoever is gifted with an eye for the picturesque 
very soon puts the Chinese in the foreground in almost 
every prospect in California. They have not intro- 
duced a national style of architecture, and build little 
but shanties themselves. They rather adapt what 
they find to their own purposes, distinguishing their 
handiwork with such emblems and devices that the 
character of the dwellers within cannot thereafter be 
mistaken. There is a great incongruity between the 
common little Yankee wooden dwellings tenanted by 
the Chinese in this rural life, and the tasseled lanterns, 
gilded signs, and hieroglyphics upon red and yellow 
papers with which they are so profusely overspread. 
Here are Ah Coon and Sam Sing, keeping laundries 
like the usual Chinese laundry the world over. Yuen 
Wa advertises himself as a contractor for laborers. 
Hop Ling, Sing Chong, and a dozen others have mis- 
cellaneous stores. In their windows are junk-shaped 
slippers, opium pipes, bottles of saki (a rice brandy), 
dried fish, goose livers, gold and silver jewelry, and 
packets of face-powder, and hair ornaments for the 
women. The pig-tailed merchants sit within on odd- 
looking chests and budgets, and gossip in an animated 
cackle with friends, or figure gravely in brown-paper 
books, using a pointed brush as a pen. Some women 
— who are much more numerous in proportion to the 
men than is commonly supposed — occasionally waddle 
by. Their black hair is very smoothly greased, and 
kept in place by long silver pins. They wear wide 
jackets and pantaloons of cheap black "paper cam- 
bric," which increase the natural awkwardness of 
their short and uncomely figures. 

Upstairs in some unpainted, cobwebby second stories 
are found the Joss houses or temples, which the rustic 
Chinamen, even with the disadvantages under which 
they labor, do not neglect to establish. Here the 
hideous, but it must be confessed, extremely decora- 
tive idols grin as serenely as if in the center of their 
native Tartary, and as if there were no snug little 
spires of Baptist and Methodist meeting-houses rising 
in severe reproach across the way. There are pastiles 
burning before these idols, and some crimson banners 
draped about ; and there are usually a few pieces of 
antique bronze upon which the eye of the connoisseur 
cannot but rest enviously. 

Other interiors are cabarets, which recall those of 
the French working classes in the great air of anima- 
tion reigning within. The air is thick with tobacco 
smoke of a peculiar Chinese odor. Games of dominoes 
are being played with a magpie-like chatter by excited 
groups of men clustered around long stout wooden 
tables. Most of those present wear the customary 
blue cotton blouse and queer little black felt hat, and. 
all have queues, which either dangle behind them or 



are coiled up like the hair of women. Some, however 
— teamsters perhaps from place to place, and here 
only temporarily — are dressed in the slop clothing 
and cowhide boots of ordinary white laborers. The 
Chinamen are servants in the camps, the ranches, and 
the houses of the better class ; they are track-layers 
and section hands on the railroad, and laborers in the 
factories and fields. What Southern California, or 
California generally, could do without them just at 
this time it is difficult to see. They are found, for the 
most part, capable, industrious, honest, and neat. 
One divests one's self rapidly of any prejudice against 
them with which he may have started. Let us hope 
that laborers of a better class, by whom they are to be 
succeeded, may have at least as many praiseworthy 
traits. 

Fresno town is as yet chiefly a supply depot, and 
market town for the numerous colonies by which it is 
environed. These colonies straggle out in various 
directions, beginning within a mile or two of the town. 
The intervening land still lies in its natural condition, 
held for settlement. It is difficult to convey an idea 
of the arid and seemingly hopeless barrenness of the 
plain. Instead of complaining of a dry and brown 
vegetation here, one would be grateful for so much as 
a blade of grass of any kind. The surface is like that 
of a graveled school-yard. It is even worse, for it is 
undermined with the holes of countless gophers, owls, 
jack-rabbits, and squirrels, who here form sociable 
communities. To ride at any speed is certain to bring 
one to grief through the entangling of his horse's legs 
in these pitfalls. As the traveler passes, there is a 
scampering movement on all sides. The gray squirrels 
speed for their holes with flying leaps, the jack-rab- 
bits with long kangaroo-like bounds. They even run 
toward us as we approach, if they chance to have been 
absent from home in an opposite direction. Not one 
considers himself safe from our clearly malicious de- 
signs till he has dived headlong into his own proper 
tenement. 

Here and there tracts are seen powdered white with 
alkali. Flakes of this substance, at once bitter and 
salt to the taste, can be taken up in an almost pure con- 
dition. Elsewhere for variety we pass through some 
tracts of wild sunflower, a weed growing tall, and quite 
charming when in flower, but now, in the long dry 
season, thoroughly desiccated, and rattling its stalks 
together like the bones of skeletons. It is not abusive 
nor ungenerous to present this picture of the condition of 
the land as it really is. It is a description that applies, 
for the greater part of the year, not only to the vicinity 
of Fresno, but in an almost equal degree, to that of 
Bakersfield, Los Angeles, and the whole of Southern 
California down to San Diego at the Mexican frontier. 
Nothing less would be just and fair either to the region 
itself or the intending visitor. And nothing less 
would adequately explain the marvels and wonders 
which have been produced upon the late San Joaquin 
desert and its like by human agency. The face of 
nature in all this district was a blank sheet of paper. 
Everything was to be put upon it. The cultivator had 
absolutely everything to do. Fortunately he discov- 
ered on trial that he had a soil of remarkable capacity, 
and that with the aid of water and the genial climate 
he could draw* from it whatever he pleased. 

Water is the salvation of the waste places, and 
makes the desert blossom like the rose. One's respect 
for this pleasant element in nature is, if possible, in- 
creased upon seeing what it is here capable of. It 
almost seems that, if used with sufficient art, it might 
draw forth a crop from a surface of cast iron. The 
vegetation of southern California is mainly artificial. 
It consists, as has been said, of a series of scattered 
plantations created by the use of water. In these the 
traveler may find his flowers, his palms, his vineyards, 
and orange groves. Ensconsing himself among them, 



10 



FRESNO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. 



like the ostrich when it buries its head in the sand, he 
may refuse to recognize the existence of everything 
else ; but it seems that at this stage in the develop- 
ment of California a franker policy is in every way 
more desirable. What has been done in the past is 
but an earnest of what can be done in the future. It 
is found that, according as irrigation is practiced, the 
land stores up part of the water used, so that less is 
needed each succeeding j^ear. In wells, too, the water 
is found nearer the surface, proving that the soil acts 
as a natural reservoir. As time goes on, and canals 
and vegetation increase, no doubt important climatic 
changes are to be looked for in this part of our coun- 
try. In the end Southern California may be as dif- 
ferent from what it is at present as can possibly be 
conceived. 

The several Fresno colonies for the most part join 
one another, and form a continuous belt of cultivation. 
On entering their confines, the change in the appear- 
ance of things is startling. Close alongside the desert, 
the home of the gopher and jack-rabbit, and only sep- 
arated from it by a narrow ditch of running water, are 
lovely vineyards, orchards of choice fruits, ornamental 
flowers and shrubs, avenues of shade trees, fields of 
corn, and refreshing green pastures of alfalfa — a tall 
and strong clover, which gives half a dozen crops a 
year. Embowered among these are the homes of 
happy families. Here and there larger establishments 
for the drying of fruits and the converting of the 
munificent crops of grapes into wine arise. Many of 
these homes are as yet but modest wooden cottages. 
Others, of a better sort, are built of adobe, or sun-dried 
brick, which is treated in an ornamental way with 
wooden piazzas and Gothic gables. The best is that 
of a late member of the San Francisco Stock Board, 
who has taken up his residence here for the cultivation 
of grapes on a large scale as a speculation. It is a 
handsome villa that would do credit to any older town 
priding itself upon dwellings of the sort. The improve- 
ments on this, the Barton place, were in but an 
incipient state at the time of our visit. A great acre- 
age of young vines brightened the recently sterile soil 
with a timid smile, as if not quite certain of approval. 
Young orange and lemon trees in the door-yard were 
muffled in straAv till they should have gained a greater 
hardihood to withstand the autumn frosts. Elsewhere 
water was being run out from irrigating ditches over 
fields in course of preparation for the first time. It is 
the custom to soak them thus in order that they may 
be perfectly leveled. Knolls or any other inequalities 
must not be left which might hinder the equal distri- 
bution of moisture to the crop when planted. A wide 
canal stretched back from the rear of the numerous 
out-buildings towards the horizon. On the verge of 
the wide plain were visible the blue Sierras, veiled by 
a slight chronic dustiness in the air. 

In the more established portions of the colonies some 
charming bits of landscape are found. The Chinese 
farm hand, in his blue blouse and a wide basket hat 
which he calls mow (and pronounces, with a grin, 
" heap good," if complimented upon it), is such as we 
see him in representations of his native tea fields. 
His occupation is to prune the vines or collect the gen- 
erous clusters of grapes they bear. Or he weeds a 
vegetable garden by the side of a canal in which he, 
his vegetables, his cabin, a row of poplar trees, and the 
blue sky overhead are all reflected together. Poplars, 
willows, and cottonwoods are planted along the canals 
to strengthen their banks. At Eisen's wine-making 
place, for a considerable distance, oleanders in flower 
are seen spaced between the trees. The water runs 
clear and swift. At Eisen's it turns a mill. No doubt 
devices for bathing in it might be managed. 

The long symmetrical lines of trees have a foreign, 
or at least an un-American, air. It is not difficult to 
recall to mind the rows of mulberries and elms that 



bend o,ver the irrigating canals of Northern Italy, and 
drop their yellow leaves upon them in the autumn in 
the same way. One might persuade himself that it 
was Lombardy again, and the glimpses of blue through 
the pleasant vistas w^ere the Alps and not the Sierras. 
The locks, gates, and division works for the water are 
of an ephemeral structure as yet. They are made of 
slight planking instead of the substantial brick and 
stone in use in Lombardy. The smaller ditches are 
often stopped with bits of board let down piece-meal 
into grooves, instead of with gates with regular han- 
dles. It is urged in excuse for the practice that 
handles offer too much inducement for idlers to lift up 
the gates out of pure mischief, waste being caused 
thereb} 7 . 

The colonies are not colonies in the usual sense of 
the term. That is to say, they were not founded by 
groups of persons who combined together and went 
out at one and the same time. The lands which they 
occupy were originally distributed into parcels by the 
owner or owners, and after being provided with water 
facilities by an irrigation company, were put upon the 
market at the disposal of whoever might wish to buy. 
No doubt a certain general consistency has been 
adhered to through the influence of the names in the 
make-up of the several settlements, but it is not rigor- 
ous. Probably nothing need prevent a native American 
from joining the Scandinavian colony, or a Scandinavian 
the American colony, should either desire to do so. 
As to the Temperance colony, its principle of organi- 
zation would constitute in it a valid difference. It 
must be sorely tried in a spot of which the most liberal 
and profitable yield is the wine grape. It seems hardly 
a propitious place to have chosen. Scoffers say that in 
some of these temperance colonies, while certain settlers 
will not consent to make wine directly, they sell their 
grapes to establishments for the manufacture of wine. 
This, if true, would seem a distinction with but a very 
slight difference. 

The standard 20-acre piece or lot, as prepared 
for market in the Fresno district, is bordered with a 
main irrigating ditch of perhaps four feet in width, 
connecting with the general irrigating system. For a 
payment of $12.50 a year this land receives a water- 
right entitling it to the use of whatever water it may 
need. The buyer must make his own minor ditches, 
and prepare his ground from this point. He usually 
aims to establish in his fields a number of slightly dif- 
fering levels, that the water may be led to one after 
the other. For ground in the preliminary condition 
described, about §50 dollars per acre is demanded. 
Most of the earlier settlers bought- for less, and the 
price named strikes one as high, considering the new- 
ness of the country, and that excellent farming land is 
to be had in all the older States of the Union for less. 
Prices are lower here than in the Los Angeles and 
Riverside districts, or at San Diego, all much further 
south. It is argued in answer to objectors everywhere 
throughout Southern California that, if the land be not 
nominally cheap, it is really cheap in consideration of 
its extraordinary productiveness. It is held that an 
investment here gives much better returns than else- 
where, and that at the same time the climate and 
other conditions promise a much more pleasureable 
existence than could be enjoyed elsewhere. This 
Fresno land, for instance, gives 4 and 5 crops of 
alfalfa a year. Vineyards planted but two and a half 
years are shown, which already produce 5 tons of 
grapes to the acre. Five years is the period required 
to bring the vines into full bearing. It is estimated 
that an acre of vines arrived at this condition will 
have cost $125, allowing $50 as the price of the ground. 
But it is then counted upon for an annual yield of ten 
tons of grapes, and these find a ready sale at $20 a 
ton. The rate of growth in vegetation is one of the 
important things to note. Fruit trees are said to 








1 




■ ".-,. 



■-%?^i;^:"-' 









COUNTY COURT-HOUSE, FRESNO. 



ELLIOTT LITH.4-EI MONT. ST. 



FMMBM& OWtfTT. GALMFOMXMA* 



n 



advance as far in 3 years in this earthly paradise as in 
7 at the Eastern sea-board. 

The personal stories of some of the colonists are in- 
teresting, as the stories of colonists of intelligence, 
who have generally had some previous hard experience 
of the world, are apt to be. Such a man, whom we 
saw working sturdily in the fields, preparing the ground 
around a brand-new cottage, had once been a person of 
large fortune. He had lost it on the San Francisco Stock 
Board. The funds for his present enterprise were pro- 
vided by a devoted wife, who had turned her talent to 
the keeping of boarders. She was sending him her 
small profits each month until he should have made 
ready the place by the work of his own hands for their 
joint occupancy. Some instances were heard of where 
nice properties had been secured with no other original 
capital than the labor of brawny hands. These, how- 
ever, were exceptional instances. The country appears 
to be one where it is desirable that the new-comer 
should begin with some small capital. 

In the Central colony a comfortable estate is owned 
by four spinsters of San Francisco, who are school- 
teachers by occupation. They have combined in the 
purchase of 80 acres. One of them lives on the 
place, and manages it. The others contribute from 
their earnings — or were in the habit of doing so until it 
had arrived upon a paying basis — the needed money 
for its proper development. They come and pass then- 
vacations only at present, but look forward to their 
property as an ultimate retreat. The idea seems both 
a praiseworthy new departure in the direction of 
female emancipation and a charming enterprise in 
itself. I had the pleasure of making the acquaintance 
of the resident manager of this experiment. Her de- 
tailed experiences, if written out, would, I think, be 
interesting and instructive. There was an open piano 
in the pleasant cottage interior, and late books and 
magazines were scattered about, showing the occupa- 
tions indulged in during the intervals of active labor. 
It was a bit of refined civilization dropped down into 
the very midst of the desert. 

This lady manager had come, she said, because she 
desired rest. She took pleasure in the country, and in 
seeing things grow. She thought she had made mistakes 
in her management at first, mainly through trusting to 
others, but now had everything in good control. Four 
farm-hands — Chinamen — were employed on the place. 
The 80 acres were distributed into vineyard, or- 
chard, and alfalfa patches. About one-half was de- 
voted to the vineyard. Its product was turned not 
into wine, but raisins. Apricots and nectarines had 
been found up to this time the most profitable orchard 
fruits. Almonds were less so, owing to the loss of time 
in husking them for market. There was a field of 
veritable Egyptian corn. This is a variety which 
grows tall and slender, and runs up to a bushy head 
instead of forming ears. The sight of it carries one 
back to the Biblical story of Joseph and his brethren, 
and to the picture-writing in the Pyramids. The 
grapes for raisin-making were of the sweet Muscat 
variety. There was a " raisin-house" piled full of the 
neat boxes in which this delicacy is traditionally be- 
stowed. The process of raisin-making is very simple. 
The bunches of grapes are cut from the vines, and 
laid down in trays in the open fields. They are left 
here, being properly turned at intervals, for a matter 
of a fortnight. There are neither rains nor dews to 
dampen them and delay the curing. Then they are 
removed to an airy building known as a "sweat- 
house," where they remain possibly a month, till the 
last vestiges of moisture are extracted. Hence they 
go to be packed and shipped to market. It is a simple 
process, this raisin-making, but it requires climate and 
proper fruit. 



One must walk rather discreetly at Fresno just at 
present not to discern through the young and scatter- 
ing plantations the bareness beyond, but in another 
10 years the scene can hardly fail to be one of rich 
and far-extending luxuriance. The site is flat and 
prairie-like. Some might prefer to locate their earthly 
paradise, if possible, nearer to the hills. Still the 
fancy of the times runs toward earthly paradises 
which are at the same time shrewd commercial ven- 
tures, and it is well known that the cultivation of the 
soil is easier on the plain than the slopes. 



FRESNO AND SURROUNDINGS. 



[From the Pacific Rural Press of May 13, 1882, published 
weekly, San Francisco. J 



In the recent excursion to this town we had the 
opportunity of seeing something of this notable portion 
of the great San Joaquin valley, which just now is 
attracting the attention of so many settlers searching 
for homes, and drawing so much capital and energy 
into this its busiest center. For several years we have 
heard the stories of its poetic climate, the possibilities 
of the water sprites when lovingly drawn away from 
their river home, how like the genii of the Arabian 
tales, they could bring wealth and splendor in a night, 
making gardens of roses out of these dry plains of 
sand, and waving forests of living green where before 
not a tree or shrub could be seen. We had read these 
things as we had read the Eastern tales, and we be- 
lieved them as much as we belieA T ed those, and no 
more. We had heard with the ear, but now we have 
seen with the eye, and we are converted. We propose 
to give some account of what we have seen, which will 
give the reasons for the faith that is in us. 

Fresno city and suburbs is but a small item in the 
level portion of Fresno county, which, in itself, is a 
plain 60 miles square and contains nearly a million and 
a quarter acres; but it is the most active point, at this 
time, of the whole immense San Joaquin valley. The 
report has gone abroad through the State and over the 
mountains, of the marvelous effects of water applied in 
careful cultivation of the genial soil, and hundreds of 
home seekers are turning in this direction, so that not 
a day passes without some new adventurer coming to 
try his skill or his luck in this new field. The town 
itself contains, perhaps, 2,000 people; and around it, 
in a semi-circle north, east and south, are the colonies 
and the great vineyards. To show the activity of 
this locality, we will give an abstract of the real 
estate business done within a radius of 8 miles, since 
January 1, 1882, or a period of less than four months, 
which real estate men in San Francisco and Oakland 
can read and compare with the business done in these 
cities in the same time. Whole number of transac- 
tions, 871. Unirrigated lands, 130 sales, 60,501 acres; 
irrigated lands, 38 sales, about 7,000 acres; town lots, 
587; colony lots, 116. 

One sale was a tract of nearly 11,000 acres. One 
tract of 7,080 acres sold for $54,460; less than $8 an 
acre. A gentleman recently from Riverside said to a 
resident here, " If this land was in San Bernardino 
county, it would be worth $200 an acre. " 

To show on what a scale the energy and enterprise 
concentrating here is working, we will give the acreage 
of a few of the purchases made since the advent of the 
movement here. 



1'2 



FRESNQ COVNTY,, QAMF^MNIA, 



LIST OF VINEYARD LANDS IN FRESNO, AND 
NUMBER OF ACRES IN EACH TRACT. 

Acres. 

Mr. Eggers of S. F. owns 11 sections 7,040 

Mr. Helms litis 12 sections in one tract and 8 in 

another 9,600 

X. E. colony, owned by Mr. Haggin of S. F... 6,720 

The Washington colony has 11 sections 7,040 

The Central colony has 6 sections 3,840 

The American colony has 5 sections 3,200 

The Kirby tract has 5 sections 3,200 

The Fresno colony, Hughes & Sons, 4^ 2,880 

The Nevada colony has 3 sections 1,920 

The Henrietta colony has 2^ sections 1,600 

One section by Mr. Jarboe of S. F 640 

The Wolters Tract has 2 sections 1,280 

The McNeil Tract has 1 section 640 

The Barton Vineyard has 1 section 640 

The Eisen Vineyard has 1 section 640 

The Temperance colony has 1 . section 640 

Two and a qnar. sec. by Hughes & Sons 1,440 

The Olive Hill Vineyard 400 

The Fresno Vineyard Co 450 

The Theodore Kearny Vineyard 340 

The Scandinavian colony 320 

The Malter Tract 320 

The Butler Tract 255 

The Goodman Tract 130 



55,175 

To appreciate what is being done, it must be re- 
membered that a section of land is a tract just one 
mile square and contains 640 acres. Now, there are 
just here, where this little town sits upon the vast 
sand plain of the great San Joaquin valley, over 50,000 
acres already marked off into squares, by ridges and 
little streams of clear water, and being made ready 
for the vine and the fruit, trees. Eighty sections — 
each one mile square ! Arrange these squares into a 
line one after the other (one mile wide and 80 
miles long). Look at it, when irrigated, settled down, 
made level as a floor, sown to grain or to the deeper 
colored alfalfa — one magnificent green plain, just 
slightly inclined to the west, waving in its bright 
emerald beauty. Eighty miles long ! Or, change 
that form into a parallelogram 4 miles wide and 20 
miles long. See it planted with vines and orchards — ■ 
as it will be — 20 varieties of grape, 40 varieties of pear, 
the peach, the apricot, nectarine, the cherry, the plum, 
the fig and the olive, the orange, lemon and banana, all 
growing as in their native clime; besides all these, 
every variety of berry known to our gardeners, and 
melons of many kinds, and around all, as a protection 
from the north wind, thousands of shade trees — 20 
varieties or more. Go up on the Sierra tables — 
grander than Lebanon — and look down on this en- 
chanting picture; another Damascus, with Pharpar 
and Abana on either side, snow everlasting on that 
eastern ridge, 14,000 feet high, but long reaches of the 
Damascene plums purpling under this Syrian sun 
below. 

If it should chance to be in the month of April or 
of May, outside of all this rich new growth of recent 
culture you will look down also upon myriads of gaily 
colored wild flowers, spread out by the square mile, as 
did Col. Fremont's party in that first fearful journey 
of exploration through the desert and mountains. 
Coming at last over the final ridge and looking down 
into the glowing valleys of California, they stood and 
shouted with all their might for very joy. Nothing 
but explosions of noise could express their delight, for 
they had come out of desolation, distress, hunger and 
the shadow of death, to look down upon fields radiant 
and glowing with acres upon acres of the golden 
escholsia, the purple larkspur and the crimson portu- 



lacca. Who can wonder that they lifted up their 
voices in hallelujahs ? And over these carpets of gay 
patterns there will roam from one to two millions of 
simple sheep and 30,000 to 40,000 head of 
cattle, in blissful ignorance of the slaughter-pens of 
San Francisco and the flesh-pots of this modern Egypt. 
Besides, there are bands of horses, happy swine by the 
thousand, and the cheerful indigenous squirrel, with 
his bosom friends, the owl and the rattlesnake. Will 
your Eastern subscriber to the Press think this is 
talking large for one county of our State ? I suggest 
to him that this Fresno plain is 60 miles square, or 
contains over 2,000,000 square acres of surface for this 
happy family to play upon. 

That would be a mighty pasture in Rhode Island or 
even Massachusetts. Is the eastern reader aware of 
the dignity of this county ? The Sierra range of 
mountains is rather an important ridge on this side of 
the continent. It would be on any continent in the 
world. It is the most elevated mountain range in the 
United States. But the highest portion of it is in this 
county— a stretch 100 miles long with peak after peak 
climbing up 14,000 feet into the blue sky. Up there 
on those grand altitudes have originated 40 living 
glaciers, and Kings river and the San Joaquin were 
born in this cool spot. This is a mountain home for 
the coming poet to sing about. The English poets of 
the Lake school thought they had some high places 
where the gods dwelt. But here are 5,000 square 
miles of country piled up, with but few places that 
man can scale less than 9,000 feet high. The heaviest 
body of timber in the State is here. The sequoia 
gigantea — monarch of all forests — lifts its majestic 
head here 400 feet to the north wind, its robust body 
being 120 feet in girth. This timber belt is over 30 miles 
wide and stretches through the whole county. The 
canyons and waterfalls and lakes are on a scale similar 
to Yosemite, making this region one of the wildest 
and most interesting in the State. Gold and copper 
are found in sufficient quantities to work at a profit. 
But the county is to be noted for its stock, its agricul- 
ture and its fruit, especially the last. The valley land 
slopes gently to the south and south-west, and the 
drainage will be toward Tulare lake. The soil of this 
plain is varied wonderfully — a dozen varieties. There 
is no gravel to speak of, only in what is termed the 
" hog wallows," near the foot-hills. In the vicinitj- 
of the foot-hills and the San Joaquin river the land is 
solid and rich, much of it being a red clay mixed with 
a white quartz silt and sand. Farther south and east 
the soil is what is termed "white ash," and appears 
to be volcanic in nature. It is white sand and loam, 
a little clay and vegetable matter, and is very easy to 
work. Nothing could apparently be better suited to 
the grape and other fruits than the soil of this whole 
region. In it every variety of grape flourishes as if at 
home, and we believe the dried fruits of this vicinity 
are soon to rival those of the Mediterranean. Alkali 
is found in spots, but so far has not interfered very 
materially with crops. Irrigation seems to bring it to 
the surface where before it was unknown. Some 
crops will flourish in it, the beet, for example: and 
when that can be made profitable, alkali land will be 
utilized. Wheat can be grown in it, if it is not on 
the surface in too great quantities to kill the germ. 
Alkali increases toward the west, and on the extreme 
border, next to the coast range, the land is not suit- 
able for fruits or any crop. Where irrigation is not 
practicable wells can be sunk- Toward the northern 
part of the west side, however. Miller & Lux have, by 
irrigation, worked wonders and changed large sections 
of dry plains into green fields. 

But there is something besides poetry in this so 
favored locality. Believe this if you are tired of the 
city and wish to try farming. The climate is not an 
unhealthy one, but the summer sun is very hot to a 



FBBSN® ®@>WNT¥,j @AMF@MWfIA 



13 



person accustomed to the bay atmosphere. The soil 
is very easy to work — but that does not mean that any 
clerk, or school-teacher, or broken-down merchant and 
politician can work it. It requires much care and 
real work to manage even 20 acres, if you do it 
yourself. It needs money, too, in spite of the con- 
stantly published circulars of land agents, that a man 
can buy his twenty-acre lot and clear it in two years 
by work only. Men of large means, who can put on 
teams and twenty to fifty men, can work wonders in a 
short time; but the laborer, who gets his 20-acre 
lot, and hopes to have a home of comfort in 2 or 
3 years, has a problem before him that will not be 
solved at first sight. It is not quite an ideal Eden, 
where no evil thing ever comes. They do come, in 
spite of dreams to the contrary. The north wind will 
blow here; the sand-storm runs mad here; frost settles 
here, suddenly, sometimes; the season does not begin 
when it ought to always; it closes abruptly sometimes; 
the red spider may strip your vines; the lively grass- 
hopper may eat the leaves — yes, the very bark of the 
vines; the vine hopper may nip them, and the grape- 
moth may stock them with her progeny — she has 
already done this once, and twenty tons of the fat 
worms are said to have been gathered in one year from 
these vineyards, but they can be subdued, and have 
been. The vines also suffer from cancer, as it is 
called; but that, as in human disease is, so far, we 
think, beyond human skill. If you ever discover it, 
you may as well dig up the vine at once, and settle it 
on the spot. Five crops of the magical alfalfa will 
grow in a season sometimes, it is true, but it will not 
be in the first year. Don't you believe it. It will 
bring you $20 a ton sometimes; but you cannot bet 
your bottom dollar on it. It will grow 3 tons to 
the acre; but it won't be on your land every time. 
You can settle down on that truth and rest. Every 
kind of grape I ever heard of, and many I never 
dreamed of, will grow here to perfection. But, my 
friend, don't try to get them all on to your twenty- 
acre lot because the agent said you could. This land 
will produce 8 tons to the acre when 4 years 
old, perhaps. A respectable gentleman told me that, 
and I said I did not believe a word of it — but I do 
now. But you will not get 8 tons to the acre every 
time on your little spot, doing your own work. The 
bright visions of fairy land are all well enough. These 
stories told at twilight make a fairy land. But they 
are the exceptions — possibilities only. It may be so, 
but the solid ground is better to stand on than gossa- 
mer webs in the air. Get some money first. Assure 
yourself of payments. Get the means to live on for 
2 years at least, before buying anything. Make 
haste very slowly, when you do start. Get the best, 
most reliable information possible, and use your own 
judgment. Settle in advance what work you can do 
yourself and what you must pay cash for doing. Settle 
also, as near as you can, when your first cash returns 
are coming in, and make your present cash meet that 
time. This means work, prudence, economy, care — 
sometimes disappointment. But when everything has 
been carefully discussed and settled come to Fresno 
county, to raise cattle, or sheep, or hogs, or wheat, or 
grapes, or mixed fruits. You can do these things here 
if you can do them anywhere. You can live on 20 
acres, or on 10 acres, here, if you can anywhere on 
earth, and you can be independent. You need not 
work any longer for other men. If you can only buy 
10 acres of this land and work it, you and your chil- 
dren need not be made to feel every 24 hours*that you 
are slaves of somebody else. You and they need not 
be made to feel in school, in church, in society, in 
business circles, that you hold an inferior position, and 
are therefore neglected and humiliated. There are 
schools here, churches here, lyceums here, books here, 
cultivated people here. If you can break from your 



bondage in the city, do so and come to Fresno, and be 
free, be independent, be noble, and cringe no longer to 
caste. 

We will now give some statistics in detail of the 
special localities in the vicinity of Fresno city. We 
do not give all these facts from the lips of the residents 
— some of whom it was impossible to see — but all are, 
we believe, mainly correct and reliable. 

THE BARTON VINEYARD. 

Mr. Robert Barton is well known as a mining ex- 
pert and member of the San Francisco Stock Exchange 
Board. He resides here now with his family, and is 
making his home a paradise of beauty and comfort. 
He has a section, 640 acres; 500 acres are set with the 
choicest varieties of wine grapes. We rode over the 
ranch in company with Mr. B., and its special features 
were pointed out to us. He has 80 acres in alfalfa, and 
20 acres in the best varieties of apricots; the whole 
closely fenced, rabbit proof. W r e counted on one 
apricot tree, less than two years old, over 100 well- 
formed apricots, an indication of what may be expected 
from 20 acres in a short time. The house — an excel- 
lent mansion — is beautifully located, standing on a 
slight elevation overlooking the whole grounds. An 
avenue leads up to it, shaded with poplar, cypress and 
oleander trees. Avenues lead round the four sides, 
each a mile long; also through the centre each way, 
all shaded with Lombardy poplar and Italian cypress, 
and other trees. We saw no residence here equal to 
Mr. Barton's. It would be beautiful anywhere, and 
an ornament to any city. The fitting up inside and 
outside and all the surroundings are first-class. It is 
lighted with gas. A green-house and croquet ground 
and flower garden make it cheerful and attractive. 
He is not obliged to use surface water for the house, as 
a well 270 feet deep furnishes 20,000 gallons to a tank, 
and is distributed as needed. It is raised to the tank 
by steam power. The barns, stables, separate houses 
for white men and Chinamen, toolhouses, are all sub- 
stantial and in good taste, and built regardless of cost. 
Mr. B. informed us that he had already spent over 
$100,000, and will soon put up a winery and distillery. 
Every foot of his 640 acres is cultivated and irrigated . 
Mr. B. does not believe in using as much water as do 
some of the smaller cultivators. He showed us spots 
frequently in our ride over the grounds that had been 
irrigated but once, and some not at all, where the soil 
was quite moist to within 3 inches of the surface. He 
irrigates his trees and vines by simply plowing a fur- 
row on each side and running the water along the 
furrow. The whole ground then becomes moist 
enough by seepage. We regard this as an eminently 
wise act, and think the wholesale flooding of the land 
as often as some do it a very bad plan, and one that 
will soon work much mischief, causing malaria. In 
some places it has already been manifest. I saw one 
lady who was suffering from chills, residing in the town 
of Fresno, five miles from these vineyards on the east, 
where the water was first used. Mr. B. cultivates the 
surface constantly, which tends to keep the ground 
below moist, and to introduce the sun and air to the 
roots of the vines. Thorough surface culture and less 
irrigation will be the future law in all these vineyards, 
if health and prosperity are regarded. Mr. B. is here 
to stay, returning here from New York, where he had 
gone with some other capitalists several years since, 
when high taxes and communism threatened San Fran- 
cisco. He traveled over the state with Mons. A. de 
Lacratel, Commissioner from the French government, 
sent to inspect our vineyards, and he chose this spot by 
advice of the French professor, after visiting all the 
noted vineyards of the state. It is safe to say that it 
is a good place to settle in. Mr. B. is certainly mak- 
ing it an Eden of beauty. Mrs. B. makes the home 



u 



FRESNO COUNTY, QAZlFOBNIAt 






charming to all visitors by her hospitality and gra- 
cious manners, and three bouncing boys give evidence 
of the healthful surroundings. 

The Nevada colony, owned by Mr. Roeding, of the 
German Loan and Savings Society, lies to the east of 
Mr. Robert Barton's vineyard. It contained origi- 
nally 3 sections. 1,920 acres. One section, 640 
acres, has been sold in 20-acre lots and settled. The 
balance is being gradually sold in larger tracts and no 
small lots are now offered. Mr. Goodman, formerly 
of Virginia City, tired of serving the public in the 
sanctum of a daily journal, has bought a fine tract of 
160 acres here, and a good portion of it is already green 
with vines of choice selection. Four or 5 other 
tracts, of 160 acres each, have been sold to gentlemen 
of means from San Francisco, and all this vicinity is 
rapidly improving; and, under the influence of money, 
is being transformed from ugliness to beauty. And 
what was only 3 or 4 years ago one broad sea 
of desolation as far as the eye could reach, is now 
fast becoming a panorama of living beauty. 

The Fresno Vineyard Co. is made up of some of the 
leading wine manufacturers of San Francisco, with Mr. 
L. P. Drexler as President, and Mr. D. D. Hudson, Super- 
intendent, who has succeeded Mr. M. Theo. Kearney. 
The company has 450 acres, a part of the Easterby 
ranch, near the Eisen vineyard. The tract is all under 
cultivation, and is enclosed by a fence rabbit proof. 
The vines are only one year old but will produce con- 
siderable fruit this year. Most of these vines are of 
choice wine varieties. There are nearly 10,000 fruit 
trees, and 60 acres of alfalfa. There is a fine two- story 
house for the Superintendent and offices fitted up with 
all conveniences — hot and cold water throughout; and 
a wine house is soon to be built. Its future is flattering. 

The Woltor's ranch contains about 2 sections — 
1,288 acres — and is on the market, for sale in lots to 
suit. 

The Olive Hill tract has 400 acres. This lies to the 
west of the Eisen vineyard, and corners on Mr. Bar- 
ton's property. It is not yet improved. Between the 
Olive Hill land and the Eisen vineyard lies Mr. 
Malter's fine ground of 320 acres. One hundred acres 
have been planted in grapes of choice varieties. They 
are but one year old, but promise well. Mr. Malter 
also owns the Henrietta rancho, one mile to the south. 

The Henrietta rancho contains 1,636 acres of as good 
land as, perhaps, can be found here. It lies next to 
the Fresno vineyard on the south, and is of the same 
general character as that of the Eisen tract, and the 
whole Easterby rancho. It is distinctly different from 
the soil of the Washington colony, having more of the 
red clay and less of the light ash soil. It is good 
wheat land, and by good cultivation, is capable of pro- 
ducing large crops of grapes and fruit — as the Eisen 
vineyard has proven, three-year-old vines yielding 
eight tons to the acre. Seven hundred acres of this 
tract is in alfalfa. As this grass can be cut 5 times in 
the year, and, under careful cultivation, will produce 
1 ton and upwards to the acre, we can see what the 
product of a 700-acre field like this will be. It was 
sold last winter in the market for $15 to $20 per ton. 
Take it at $8, and see the income of 1 year's growth of 
grass, while waiting for the vines and fruit to mature 
—3,500 tons, 828,000! There are also 150 acres of the 
best raisin grapes set on this vineyard, and a wine 
cellar is soon to be built. The future of this fine prop- 
erty is very hopeful. 

Blooded stock is to be raised on this alfalfa. A 
sheep owner said here, recently, that he proposes soon 
to put 960 acres of his sheep range into alfalfa. An 
acre will keep 10 sheep through the dry season, so he 
can thus reduce his sheep range from 13,000 acres — 
about its present limits — to 1,000. Great is alfalfa, 
under the manipulation of the genius of the river. 

Mr. Butler, of San Francisco, has 255 acres adjoin- 



ing the Fresno Vineyard Co. tract on the west. He 
began work only a year ago, but he has nearly 200 
acres already set with the White Muscat raisin grape, 
which is probably the largest raisin vineyard in the 
county. 

As the vines were all planted at the same time, the 
fruit will all ripen at the same time; and when 200 
acres of fruit, 8 tons to the acre, (which I am assured 
on good authority is not an exaggeration) is ready for 
gathering, there will be a lively scene at Mr. Butler's. 
Raisins, to be of first quality, need careful and wise 
handling, and when 1,600 tons in one vineyard are to be 
picked, carefully selected, separated, the best from 
inferior, laid on trays, dried and turned, carried to the 
packing house, packed for sweating, taken out and 
re-packed in 5, 10 and 20-pound boxes, paper lined, 
marked and shipped, the gentle and innocent reader in 
San Francisco that never saw a vineyard or a raisin 
made in California can wake up to the fact that this is 
a scene of wonderful activity. When he further rea- 
lizes, if he is capable of the effort, that this scene will 
be multiplied one hundred or one thousand-fold in the 
near future, he will be likely to exclaim, with eyes 
wide open, " Great is the magician of the rivers! " 

THE EISEN VINEYARD. 

The Eisen vineyard is one of the earliest in this val- 
ley. He has 640 acres. Two hundred and fifty acres are 
under cultivation, but did not show as careful pains- 
taking, we thought as did Mr. Barton's. He has most 
of the choice wine grapes, and some of the best wine 
in the State is made here — such wine as cannot be 
made in Sonoma or Napa. We think that, for bou- 
quet and exquisite flavor, it can be scarcely excelled 
anywhere. Mr. Eisen showed us some that is valued 
at $6 per gallon. It is a wine not for common people 
— the peasantry — but only for the king and the maker, 
said an expert; in fact, it is a wine that, in Greece, in 
its glory, would have been a wine for the gods. If not 
ambrosia, we do not know anything of that article. 
He shipped last year a large quantity, and this year, 
he told me, probably 100,000 gallons would be made. 
He has, on his grounds, several acres of Egyptian 
corn, which yields abundantly. His three-year-old 
vines produced 8 tons to the acre last year. They are 
worth 3 cents a pound for wine, or $60 a ton, giving 
the value per acre of $480. One may easily estimate 
from this the value of 500 acres of vines, and compare 
with the wheat or any other crop. It may sound like 
fiction to persons not familiar with the vine, but we 
are assured that 250 varieties of grapes are now grow- 
ing in this vineyard. 

The Scandinavian Colony was organized 3 years 
ago. Originally, there were 320 acres; afterwards a 
section was added, making 960 acres. It was sold in 
20-acre lots, mostly to men from Norway, Sweden and 
Denmark; hence its name. These men are all work- 
ers, thrifty and economical, and the colony has been a 
success from the first. There are over 40 families in 
this colony, and generally they have come to stay. 
This is shown by the facts that they have a school, a 
church organization and a regular lyceum for discus- 
sions. 

The Fresno Colony is a new enterprise organized by 
Messrs. Thos. E. Hughes & Sons, whose energy has 
done much to advance the interests of Fresno and 
vicinity. There are 4^ sections in this colony, and it 
is offered in 20-acre lots. The land is well suited to 
the vine and orchard fruits, easily irrigated, and lies 
close to the town. These circumstances make it fav- 
orable for homes. Several excursions to Fresno have 
been organized by the Messrs. Hughes, and thus many 
hundreds of people have been made familiar with the 
vineyards and other attractions of, the place. The 
hospitality and generosity of this firm in providing for 




THE QUIET OF MIDSUMMER IN THE SIERRA. 



16 



FRESNO COUNTY' CALIFORNIA* 



* « n 



the entertainment, comfort and pleasure of the visitors, 
free of expense as regards carriages and other things, 
is proverbial, and for which very many visitors have 
much reason to be grateful. 

Mr. Thos. Hughes, the youngest of the firm, has a 
vineyard started of 4S0 acres. He has a fine field of 
grain in, 350 acres; also 15 acres of alfalfa and an 
orchard of choice fruits. Mr. William Hughes, of the 
San Francisco agency, will begin work here in the 
coming fall on a half section or more, and put in a 
vineyard and orchard. These young men have the 
means and the spirit to make substantial improve- 
ments on their land, and, although not obliged to 
labor, they have too much unexpended vitality bottled 
up to sit down and look on in such an ant's nest as 
this is. 

Thomas Hughes has had much experience as a sheep 
herder, and his nomadic life on these plains and in 
these rough mountains will make a quiet home among 
his vines a luxury to be appreciated. 

THE CENTRAL COLONY. 

The Central Colony was organized in the summer of 
1S75, through the energy and enterprise of Bernard 
Marks, who had been a miner, then a public school 
teacher in San Francisco, then a farmer on the tule 
lands of the San Joaquin and flooded out, and then 
burned out. Nothing like that experience, however, 
could kill the indomitable energy of this man. It 
would take paralysis or a stroke of lightning to do 
that! He inquired into the fruit business, he studied 
the question; incidentally he heard a man just then 
who had been to Southern France and Spain lecture 
on raisin culture. He had struck a lead, and had 
sagacity enough to follow it. He pursued that man, 
interviewed him and drew out of him ideas, that in 
their development have made the Fresno colonies what 
they are to-day. He came to San Francisco, found the 
men who owned the land and the water rights, made 
arrangements for himself only, but soon saw he could 
more profitably arrange for a colony, and accordingly 
changed his plans, and out of them came the Central 
colony, the first one organized. Six sections, 3,840 
acres, were laid off and divided into 192 20-acre lots, 
and all sold in due time to men who went at once to 
work on them. The history of the troubles, the trials 
exceeding great vexations and selfishness and greed of 
human nature that were developed in the growth of 
that first colony is yet to be written. But it is all over 
now; the clouds have gone; the grumbling and the 
mumbling have passed away; the last grip of the law 
has been loosened; the last disputed dollar been paid 
and all is serene. It is safe to say that no man with 
less energy, vitality of the 9 lives quality, persist- 
ent push, persuasiveness axid grip than Bernard Marks 
has would have carried out the plans to their com- 
pletion. He did it, and to-day is sitting under his 
own vine and fig tree in the most realistic and literal 
sense, with the sunshine and halo of peace around his 
head. A delegation of visitors from the East recently 
called at his place and asked to see the father of the 
colony, expecting to see a white-haired patriarch ap- 
pear, and were astonished when a figure with the 
bloom of a boy on his cheek and the lithe spring of a 
leopard bounded over the corral fence and stood modest- 
ly before them. They asked him where the old gentle- 
man was, and believed they were being "sold" when he 
announced himself as the chief. 

Mr. Marks has 7 20-acre lots here; 40 acres are set 
in vines, 15 acres in bearing, with 60 acres in alfalfa, 
from which he cuts 4 crops a year of from 1 to 2 tons 
to the acre. He has utilized his hay and grass in 
managing a dairy, keeping 9 full-blooded Jersey cows 
and several half-breeds. Butter and cheese of the best 



quality are made here and sell readily at first-class 
prices in town. But gradually all the alfalfa fields will 
be changed into vineyards and fruit orchards, as these 
pay better than dairies. Peaches, apricots, plums, 
pears and raisins all pay, and even apples are being 
raised of good quality. All these fruits will pay $200 
and upwards to the acre, while alfalfa will not. These 
fruits can be readily sold on the trees at a good profit, 
picked and packed by the parties who buy. China- 
men buy them to dry and pay cash. Eastern men 
from Chicago are also ready purchasers. What is true 
of Mr. Mark's land may be repeated of every one of 
the settlers in this colony, when care and labor are ex- 
pended in a similar way. 

Miss Austin's vineyard, in this colony, deserves 
especial mention, because it has been managed by her- 
self from the first, and it has been a success, notwith- 
standing all the drawbacks that have annoyed and hind- 
ered the advance of the growth, want of water for the 
first years being the great evil. It looked at one time 
as if the enterprise must fail. It was hoping against 
hope, and nothing but an iron will determined to hold 
on and succeed could have conquered. Miss Austin 
is an educated lady who had managed other matters 
demanding judgment and skill before coming here, and 
she had weighed the matter of investment carefully; 
had studied the problem on all sides, so far as any 
light could then be had, and she came with her mind 
settled on staying — and she stayed, and is now reaping 
the reward of perseverance. She has the charge of 80 
acres, for herself and 3 associates. It is nearly all in 
cultivation; 40 acres are in vines — one-half about — in 
bearing. She sent to market the last season about 
800 boxes of as fine raisins as can be found made in 
this State, and, we think, but little inferior to the 
Mediterranean fruit, though she does not claim perfec- 
tion, only that it is one of the possibilities of this 
locality and of experience. She has, besides, several 
hundred apricot trees, which will give a good income 
next season; also 10 acres of alfalfa for her stock. She 
has also peaches, nectarines, and plums, in consider- 
able variety; and her future is well assured, and her 
partners can confidentially look forward to an early 
emancipation from the weariness of school-room cares 
and the capricious dictation of San Francisco Boards 
of Education. We heartily congratulate them all upon 
the near future of a blessed independence. 



AMERICAN COLONY. 

This colony lies west of the Washington colony, and 
has 5 sections laid off into 20-acre lots. We believe it 
was put upon the market at $35 per acre, but has been 
recently sold and transferred to one man, who does not 
desire to sell in small lots, or less than 160 acres, but 
will sell such lots at perhaps a lower figure. 



THE EGGERS' RANCH. 

Mr. Eggers' tract of 7,000 acres we did not see, but 
we learned from one who has visited it that he has 
1,500 acres in grain. His land lies to the north and 
east of all the land we have described, toward the San 
Joaquin, and is a better grain land than that farther 
south and west. He has a large vineyard of nearly 
500 acres, and soon will have a winery and distillery 
running, for, as we have said before, all these lands 
are coming into grapes rapidly. 

Mr. Helm also has a large tract of nearly or quite 16,- 
000 acres adjoining the above. It is adapted to grain or 
will produce good crops, but as vines pay better, it 
will eventually go into vineyards. He has a large 
acreage in alfalfa now, and a large flock of sheep. 



FRESNO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA 






17 



THE KIRBY VINEYARD. 

Mr. Kirby and Pearson, from the East, last winter 
made a purchase of 5 sections, 3,200 acres, lying east 
of the Washington colony. Mr. Pearson has since re- 
tired from it, and Mr. Kirby, a young and energetic 
specimen of Chicago development, is carrying it on 
alone. He promises to make the model vineyard in 
this locality, and if energy and money can do it he will 
fulfill his promise, for he has both. He has had 50 
men or more at work and 100 horses, and they made 
things lively there, and have stirred up the sand by 
the square mile in a way that would astonish a Mexi- 
can hacienda. Mr. Pearson will return to Fresno, it 
is said, and invest $150,000 before long. Who will 
not say that Fresno has a future ? 

It will be seen that the controlling interest in the 
vicinity of Fresno is the wine product. The bulk of 
the capital being invested there so largely at this time 
is being devoted to this interest. All the large vine- 
yards will have a wine cellar upon them, and the 
quantity of wine, in 2 or 3 years, produced here will 
be enormous. There are probably 30,000 acres already 
in the vicinity of Fresno alone that will soon be in vines 
and producing from 5 to 8 tons to the acre ; so that in 
the near future there will be grown 200,000 tons of good 
wine grapes annually in this one section. This amount 
of acreage, and the product of the vines, is constantly 
increasing, and the value of this industry in California 
in the future is beyond estimate. Two and a quarter 
million gallons of wine were shipped from this state 
2 years ago, and nearly all of that was outside of Fres- 
no county. Mr. Eisen's wine is the oldest here, and 
but little, comparatively, was ready for the market at 
that time. Many hundreds of acres are also being 
planted with apricots, a fruit that is to be one of the 
great products of this section soon. Raisins also are 
coming to be another of the large iiiterests here, and 
one of the most profitable. Vines 3 years old will av- 
erage 20 pounds to the vine. Four-year-old vines in 
the Central colony gave, in some instances, an average 
of 50 pounds last year. But $100 to $200 per acre, net 
profit, in raisin culture, is a safe estimate beyond any 
doubt. Many vineyards will go much higher if proper 
attention and the requisite intelligent care are exer- 
cised. The small farmer, then, who owns but 20 
acres and does his own work, if he has but 10 acres in 
raisin grapes, is quite certain to secure a comfortable 
income. 

OUTSIDE OF FRESNO CITY. 

We have said nothing of the special localities about 
Fresno, Centerville, Selma, Wildflower, Kingsburg 
and other small towns. All have their peculiar attrac- 
tions, in the way of vineyards, orchards or stock, but 
these are on a smaller scale than at Fresno. At Cen- 
terville, however, considerable interest is awakened 
and many are being attracted to that vicinity. It is 
near foothills and is the gateway into the great moun- 
tain region, where are the lumber and sawmills. Its 
climate and soil are peculiarly attractive, and nothing 
but money and the energy of Fresno are needed to 
make great developments here. Dr. Cogswell has in- 
vested largely here and organized a colony, and settlers 
are beginning to locate here on 20-acre lots. Our jour- 
nalistic brother of the Post, Nat Caulsen, is interested 
in this colony, and will be the manager as soon as he 
can break away from his duties here and wean his soul 
from the fascination of gathing news for a daily paper. 
It will be like your humble servant's trial of tearing 
himself from the joys of the school-room and the Eden 
atmosphere that bathes it. This locality is said to be 
favorable to the orange and fig, there being little or no 
frost here, from which these fruits have suffered in 
Fresno. The party that went there on the recent 
excursion were much pleased with the place. 



THE SILK INTEREST. 

Mrs. Stow, of the Social Science Sisterhood, went 
up with the excursionists, for the purpose of selecting 
a 10-acre lot, by gift, if possible, from some philan- 
thropic, large-souled land owner who has the best 
future interest of California at heart, for the purpose 
of developing silk culture in the State. She will 
have the 10 acres planted with mulberry trees, estab- 
lish a cocoonery, and find a market for the eggs and 
cocoons, if she can get the land free. We think this 
interest is bound to be a success in time in this State. 
The California Silk Culture Association is taking the 
lead, and is doing good work in getting this interest es- 
tablished, and the "Manual" on the subject, by Mr. W. 
B. Ewer, A. M., if well circulated, will give informa- 
tion that will stimulate many to engage in this pleasant 
and profitable employment. 

MISCELLANEOUS PRODUCTS. 

Other valuable crops besides raisins and wine can be 
raised in Fresno. Egyptian corn is a valuable crop and 
one of the most prolific of all. Common Indian corn, 
or maize, is also grown well, and the corn of the Cuzco 
variety, perhaps the corn that Pizzaro saw growing on 
the tablelands of the Incas, is now grown here. Sorghum 
can be made profitable — for stock at least, if not for 
sugar. Cotton has produced good results, but needs 
experience and care not now given to it. The expense 
of gathering and ginning has been too great. Oranges 
lemons, bananas and olives will also grow well if 
properly protected. Sweet potatoes, as well as the 
common variety, are a sure crop. Peanuts are at home 
in this soil. Every kind of vegetables grows here in 
luxuriance, as well as every species of berry, there has 
not been, as yet, enough of strawberries, blackberries, 
raspberries, currants, etc., to supply the market even 
at Fresno. Blackberries grow to mammoth size, com- 
paratively, and often bear the first year, from rooted 
vines. Nineteen selected berries have been known to 
weigh a full avoirdupois pound. The mulberry tree 
grows here to perfection, and the silk interest can be 
extended indefinitely as soon as any market for eggs or 
cocoons can be certain and people can be induced to 
enter upon the work. Honey can be produced in un- 
limited quantities ; thousands of acres of wild flowers 
are at the service of as many bees as can be placed 
here. They have a charter right, unassessable, to these 
acres and only need encouragement. There may be 
many sections of our State that promise as well as this; 
we cannot say, positively, but we have faith in Fresno 
county and in her great future. 



FRESNO COUNTY. 



[From the Daily Evening Post, San Francisco, April 29, 1882.] 



ITS PAST, PRESENT AND PROBABLE FUTURE — WHAT 
IRRIGATION HAS DONE IN A DESERT REGION — THE 
VARIOUS COLONIES ALREADY ESTABLISHED AND PRO- 
JECTED — VALUABLE INFORMATION FOR INTENDING 
SETTLERS — THE CLIMATE, SOIL, ETC. — COST OF LAND 
AND IMPROVEMENTS — RATES OF WAGES PAID FOR 
LABOR — THE KIND OF PEOPLE, WHO ARE AND WHO 
ARE NOT WANTED. 

The residents on the Pacific coast and elsewhere, 
frequently hearing of the wonderful advancement of 
Fresno county since the waters of the Kings and 
Fresno rivers have been utilized in irrigating the 
hitherto barren and unproductive desert, naturally de- 
sire to have these various reports confirmed. The 
Post has endeavored to present as near as possible the 



IS 



FRESNO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, 



* * tj U; 



actual facts concerning the territory to its numerous 
patrons, and to convey to the general public a compre- 
hensive idea of its extensive mineral, fruit, silk, pas- 
toral and agricultural resources. The general infor- 
mation we now publish has been obtained by the per- 
sonal observation of a reliable correspondent, a report 
which we candidly believe will present a full and im- 
partial account of the surroundings and general facil- 
ities of Fresuo county. Our correspondent disclaims 
all literary merit, and presents no original ideas, but 
simply gives a pure, unvarnished description of Fresno 
county and its prominent characteristics. Our 
readers are cordially invited to carefully investigate 
the description of the county itself, by comparing it 
with the map published in connection with this report. 

Fresno is the third county in area in California, con- 
taining 8,750 square miles of territory, or 5,600,000 
acres, of which 1,200,000 acres may be classed as ag- 
ricultural, and 4,400,000 as mountainous and grazing 
lands. 



THE HUGHES FRESNO EXPEDITION. 

Probably one of the most brilliant and enthusiastic 
receptions tendered to strangers was that which was 
extended to the excursionists who arrived in Fresno 
city on the evening of the 20th hist. — the excursion- 
ists embracing visitors from San Francisco, Alameda, 
Oakland, Napa, San Jose, Stockton, Sacramento and 
Lathrop. To those who had not traveled over the 
Southern Pacific Railroad before the trip proved one 
of health, pleasure and instruction, affording them a 
perfect opportunity to observe the vast variety of nat- 
ural and acquired attractions, especially the vast fields 
of grain which will eventually be garnered next har- 
vest. On the train arriving at the Fresno depot, they 
were greeted by an exceedingly large concourse of 
people, a torchlight procession and an efficient band of 
music. The credit of this excursion was due to the 
liberality of Thomas E. Hughes & Sons, real estate 
agents and proprietors in Fresno county, who got up 
the expedition at their own expense, and left nothing 
undone in order to insure the pleasure and comfort of 
those who might participate. 

FRESNO CITY. 

At the commencement of the last decade, and for 
many months thereafter, the present site of the flour- 
ishing town of Fresno was in the heart of the then 
desert of the San Joaquin valley. There was no rail- 
road, town, water or settlement, and no earthly pros- 
pect of any. There was no water nearer than the San 
Joaquin river. On the first of May, 1872, the railroad 
company formally located the town, and drove their 
stakes for the present depot building. It had been the 
custom of the railroad company, at the new towns 
along the line of the road, to sell off a number of first 
choice lots at public auction, but there seemed to be 
no bidders at this desolate and forlorn looking station, 
and the company permitted the new comers to settle 
on the lots, with the understanding that they should 
pay for them if they concluded to remain. Contrary 
to general expectation, real estate in the vicinity of the 
town soon began to appreciate in value, and with every 
prospect of continuing to do so. Fresno city to-day 
is the county seat of Fresno county. A stately struc- 
ture — costing 856,000 — for a Courthouse was erected, 
water was brought down, and the colony system began 
to demonstrate its own permanency. We find the 
town to-day with a population of 2,800 souls, with a 
majestic Courthouse, a public school building, capable 
of accomodating 400 or 500 pupils, 3 large and 
artistic church edifices, water works ample to supply 



water to a population of 5,000, large flour mills, 2 
large public halls, 4 good hotels, especially the Ogle 
House, which is under the direction of J. M. Harter, 
proprietor. All kinds of merchandise are for sale in 
the city. Masonic, Odd Fellows, A. O. U. W. and 
I. O. G. T. societies are also organized. There are 
2 newspapers and 2 printing offices, 3 dentists, 2 
wholesale liquor houses, 10 saloons, 3 ministers, 6 
physicians, 25 lawyers, 3 general insurance and 3 
real estate agents and 2 banks. 



COLONIES. 

Your correspondent is indebted to Messrs. Ferguson 
and Miller, editors arid proprietors of the daily and 
weekly Expositor, and the Weekly Republican, for the 
general information herewith published in reference to 
the almost incredible present and future resources of 
the county— originally a barren and desolate region. 
Mr. Miller, proprietor of the Republican engaged a 
team, and personally introduced your correspondent to 
the colonists within a radius of several miles. We 
give a brief sketch of some of the most prominent 
vineyards and colonies. 



FRESNO COLONY. 

The purchase of the lands of Fresno colony was 
made by the firm of Thos. E. Hughes & Sons, in June, 
1880, from the estate of E. Janssen, and when upon 
the market but 3 months nearly one-half of the 
original tract of 2,880 acres was sold to colonists. The 
rapid sale of these lands is the result of the indefatig- 
able labors of Hughes & Sons, coupled with the cir- 
cumstances of favorable location and excellence of soil 
This colony immediately adjoins the town of Fresno 
on the south, and stretches away south as far as the 
northern boundary of its older neighbor, the Central 
California colony. It is, in truth, a part of the pros- 
perous town, being wholly within the same school dis- 
trict, and deriving from this circumstance all the 
school advantages that belong to the residents of the 
town proper. The Fresno colony, like its predecessors, 
has been subdivided into 20 acre tracts, that hav- 
ing been demonstrated to be the size of lots most pop- 
ular among those seeking homes and a competence for 
themselves and families. Each lot is sold at the rate 
of $50 per acre, $300 being paid in cash at the time of 
purchase, and the balance bearing interest at the rate 
of ten per cent, per annum until paid. With each lot 
is sold a perpetual water right for purposes of irriga- 
tion, the almost magic influence of which upon Fresno 
soil is the wonder of all who have taken the time to 
look through the sturdy orchards and richly laden 
vineyards in this immediate vicinity. This water right 
is no vague uncertainty, but consists of the right of 
one -eighth of a cubic foot of water per second from 
the Fresno canal and Irrigation Company, whose 
canal are already flowing on the land. The onty ex- 
pense accruing from using the water will be an annual 
payment of $12 per lot to the Canal Company for 
maintaining the chief canals in repair. So rapid has 
been the sale of the lands of the Fresno colony that 
Messrs. Hughes & Sons have been obliged to make an 
addition of 960 acres to the original tract, making the 
present area of the colony 3,840 acres, or 6 miles. 

Mr. G. G. Briggs, of Yolo, one of the most exper- 
ienced viticulturists in the State, has purchased one 
square mile of the original tract, and thus expresses 
his confidence in the demonstrated capabilities of the 
soil for vine growing. It is his intention to early im- 
prove his splendid section in the Fresno colony, aud 
thus add materially to his own extensive enterprises, 
as well as to the adornment and enrichment of Fresno 
county. 



ryy MEggS 



3E=assaE: 



■ « ■ n±m um 



sEal'as 




E1SEN WINE: CELLARS.. EISEN VINEYARD. FRESNO CO. CAL. 




FORTY ACRE FARM OF M.J. DONAHOO. NEVADA COLONY. FRESNO CO.CAL. I 



ELUOTT LlTH.481 MONT ST. 



FRE^MQ GQWWFY* GAMFQENIA, 



19 



Professor J. H. Braley, of the State Normal School, 
at San Jose, has recently become the purchaser of 160 
acres, or 8 lots, in the tract known as the addition 
of the Fresno colony. The investment in these lands 
by such men as Mr. Briggs and Professor Braley is 
certainly complimentary to the colony enterprises in 
general, and particularly is it commendatory of the' 
colony treated in this pen sketch. 

The soil of the Fresno colony is a rich, sandy loam, 
the surface requiring little or no leveling for purposes 
of irrigation. Judging from what we have seen accom- 
plished in the older colonies of this county, we cannot 
but believe that in a few years the Fresno colony will 
be one of the most beautiful as well as profitable 
locations in all the State of California. 

WHITE'S TWENTY-ACRE FARM. 

We will call small capitalists' attention to the 
amount of land necessary for the support of a family. 
It principally depends upon the soil, climate, market 
facilities and the brain and muscle that cultivate it. In 
this vicinity 20 acres of irrigated land is as much 
as one man can work to advantage, and the man who 
cultivates that amount well will have no leisure time 
on his hands. Our long summer, producing 2 crops 
of grain and from 3 to 6 crops of vegetables, leaves 
no interval of rest between. Experience in farm- 
ing orfruit growing is not absolutely necessary to ensure 
success, but energy and perseverance are, and without 
these no man can succeed. Small, well cultivated 
farms always bring the best results, and one of the 
greatest necessities of the day is the subdivision of 
large California ranches, to enable men of limited 
means to secure homes. As proof of what may be 
done on a 20-acre farm of irrigated land in Fresno 
county, we refer to what has been accomplished by 
R.White, of the Central colony, immediately adjoining 
the Fresno colony. Five years ago he moved to the 
colony. The building of his house taking the last dol- 
lar he possessed, he looked up a job and went to work 
with a will. When not at work for others he em- 
ployed his time in improving his own place. A small 
patch of alfalfa and grain was planted, fruit trees, 
vines and shade trees around the house were set out as 
fast as the means at his command would permit. But 
a small part of his 20 acres is yet set out to fruits, 
his income being derived from the sale of grain, alfalfa, 
etc. He is not able to do all of his work, and hires a 
man a month or two every year. Last year, among 
his productions were 1,500 pounds of raisins and 60 
gallons of excellent wine. He is out of debt, has 
three good horses, three cows, poultry, two good 
wagons, plows, scrapers, mowing machines and all im- 
plements necessary on a farm. He considers that he 
has made .$4,000 for the first four years' work. Any 
one doubting these figures can have them verified by 
calling on Mr. White, or addressing a note at his resi- 
dence, East avenue, Central colony, Fresno. 

MISS AUSTINS RAISINS. 

Miss M. F. Austin, of the Central colony, has 80 
acres, the whole of which is under cultivation, 45 acres 
being devoted to vineyard, of which one-third is 
bearing. Two hundred apricot trees on the place vary 
from 3 to 5 years old. Prunes, peaches and nec- 
tarines are promising a good yield. Three hundred 
peach and 100 nectarine and pear trees have been 
set out this season. Ten acres are in alfalfa. Miss 
Austin's especial pride is in her raisins. In 1880, her 
farm produced 20,000 pounds of raisins, the return 
from which was a good revenue to the fair proprietress 
of this romantic retreat. A commodious packing 
house was built last summer, which adds to the con- 
venience of the place. It is unnecessary to inform 



our readers that she has paid for her farm and has a 
romid sum in the bank. This industrious, intellectual 
and enterprising young lady is in the neighborhood of 
thirty years of age, is tall, slightly built and light 
complexioned. She presents a dignified demeanor, and 
a casual observer will immediately discern that she 
reigns supreme over her surroundings. Miss Austin, 
the resident manager, was formerly a principal in one 
of San Francisco's leading schools, and about 5 
years ago, in co-partnership with 2 or 3 other 
maidens — fellow-teachers — purchased a piece of land 
devoid of trees or vegetation. For 3 years they 
were without irrigation, but trusted to the Divine 
Creator, to whom they now return grateful thanks for 
their overwhelming prosperity. It is estimated that 
in 5 years hence Miss Austin's vineyard will be 
worth about $30,000. Your correspondent incidentally 
remarked that it must be very lonely living in the 
midst of this beautiful paradise, to which Miss Austin 
replied : " Oh, no ! I am not alone. A sister keeps me 
company." And on being informed that he meant a 
masculine support, she laughed and cheerfully replied 
that it did not anno}' her in the least. The representa- 
tives of the press reluctantly bid her adieu, hoping 
that ere long this lady will set an example by forming 
a co-partnership with some lone bachelor. 

WASHINGTON COLONY. 

There are 229 residents on this colony. During the 
present season 640 acres have been planted to vines 
and trees. For the year ending April 19th, the sales 
have amounted to 760 acres, while the aggregate sales 
from July 24, 1880 to April 19th are 1,080 acres. Up- 
wards of 1,000 acres of land in this prosperous com- 
munity are in grape vines. Dr. Jarvis, the largest 
fruitgrower of Riverside, has negotiated a large pur- 
chase on this colony. Dr. Nichols, a capitalist of 
Salem, Oregon, has purchased a tract, and will erect 
his permanent residence immediately, bringing with 
him a large number of families. Captain McLaughlin, 
who has planted 50 acres to vineyard the present 
season, writes for more land, and will build a fine res- 
idence this summer. Dr. Jarvis, of Riverside, consid- 
ers the soil of this land superior in quality to any of 
the Riverside district, some of which is valued from 
$150 to $200 per acre. Judge J. W. North is the active 
agent of this colony, and from the taste displayed by 
the planting of beautiful avenues of trees, this colony 
promises to equal any of its immediate neighbors for 
picturesque beauty. The judge is proud of the rustic 
observatory which he has erected on the premises. On 
ascending it a spectator cannot but be surprised at the 
amount of money that is being expended in planting 
and cultivation this season. The observatory, which 
is about nine miles from Fresno, gives the observer a 
view beyond Fresno city. 

THE AMERICAN COLONY 

This is the latest of the colonies here, and comprises 
a tract of 3,200 acres. The land is a beautiful level 
tract, and is altogether as fine a piece of land as is 
found in the county. It has recently been surveyed 
and laid out with avenues 60 feet wide, and divided 
into lots of 20 acres each. It adjoins the celebrated 
Washington colony on the west, and Central colony on 
the south. 

BARTON VINEYARD. 

On approaching this magnificent domain, a stranger 
cannot help admiring the taste in the general exterior 
of the premises, and which amply testifies to the artis- 
tic skill of its owner, Mr. Robert Barton, late operator 
in the leading stocks of the San Francisco Stock and 
Exchange Board. Space will not permit describing in 



20 



FRESNO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA* 



detail the extensive amount of improvement done in 
the transformation of this exquisite vineyard from the 
sandhill as it originally was, without a solitary blade 




VKbSAU- .UAKlfOiA ).iu i'KJfiiJ UKOYE— Hiding through a .Big Tree on road to Vosemite Valley 



of grass. A few years since Mr. Barton purchased 640 
acres, and fenced the whole of it with a rabbit proof 
fence. You drive up through the beautiful avenue, 



lined on either side with a row of Lombardy poplar 
and Italian cypress trees set alternately, towards his 
palatial residence. The architecture of the exterior 
forms a beautiful contrast with the 
elegantly furnished interior. It is ac- 
knowledged to be second to none within 
the district. Mr. Barton manufactures 
his own gas on the premises sufficient 
for the illumination of his residence, 
at a cost of less than $3 per month. 
A tank has been erected some rods 
from the house, with a capacity of 
20,000 gallons. This tank is supplied 
from a well 270 feet deep, the water, 
which rises to within 20 feet of the 
surface, being carried to the tank by 
means of a small steam engine, which 
has a pumping capacity of 2,500 gal- 
lons per hour, and when not in use in 
pumping water to the tank, is utilized 
in sawing wood or elevating water by 
means of a Chinese pump into a hose 
that conveys water to any part of the 
ground, a distance of 350 feet. A 
beautiful croquet and archery ground 
is systematically laid out in close 
proximity to a delightful greenhouse, 
containing every imaginable variety 
of rare flowers and tropical plants, 
which Mr. Barton immediately intends 
to transfer into the semi-tropical at- 
mosphere for the adornment of the 
gardens for the summer. Barns, sta- 
bles, carriage houses, farming machin- 
ery, sheds and outhouses are built 
regardless of expense. Mr. Barton 
has already expended §120,000 on his 
vineyard. Ai'rangements have been 
made for building a winery and dis- 
tillery, 150x100 feet, the erection of 
which will commence immediately. 
When completed, the proprietor esti- 
mates that the property will have 
cost him about §200,000. The avenues 
of this garden of the desert are six 
miles in length and four miles in cir- 
cumference. On each side are rows of 
Lombardy poplar trees, two years old. 
and about 7^ to 9 feet in height. Five 
years hence they will majestically 
meet at a height of 70 or 80 feet, 
forming one continual romantic arch 
Water is conveyed all over the vine- 
yard by means of elevated canals and 
flumes. Mr. Barton has a peculiarity 
of his own for irrigation, which will. 
no doubt, be copied by future husband- 
men. Instead of bringing the land at 
a water level, like other irrigators in 
Fresno county, he simply runs a fur- 
row along each row of vines with a 
plow, turns on the water at the most 
elevated end, and as the the water 
forms a level with the vines, his men 
dam it about 20. 30 or 40 feet apart 
with their hoes, the water gradually 
and equally seeps into all parts, after 
which a cultivator is hauled through 
the rows across the plowed furrows. 
After the second year it will only re- 
quire irrigation once a year. Mr. 
Barton, when irrigating, waters 40 
acres a day. Every acre of the 040 
is under the highest state of cultivation : the long 
rows of vines planted S feet each way are loaded 
with young fruit, and the verdant alfalfa presents a 



FMESKQ ae-WKTY, CALZF@BNIA t 



21 



picturesque display, the beauty of which can only be 
appreciated by being seen. The soil of this vineyard 
was selected with great care. There are 3 va- 
rieties — the sandy loam, adobe and red clay. Pro- 
fessor Armury de Lacratel, when here investigating 
for the French government, pronounced the sandy 
loam as being especially adapted for the delicate 
flavored French wine. The various classes of vines 
are planted in soil for which they are particularly 
adapted. In 1883 it is expected this vineyard 
will yield 1,500 tons of grapes. In 1884 every vine 
will be bearing. Grapes are worth about $25 or $30 a 
ton to wineries. 'Mr. Barton will make his own wine, 
besides buying grapes from his neighbors. Five hun- 
dred acres of the best varieties of grapes are set, com- 
prising Blau Elbas, Charbonaux, Berger, Zinfandel, 
Malvosia, Fahir, Zagos, Reisling and Sultans. Thirty 
acres of Royal and Moorpark apricot trees are over- 
laden with fruit, and Mr. Barton speaks of destroying 
a portion of the apricots in order that the trees may 
not be crippled. The probabilities are that $12,000 
worth of apricots will be ripened. A field of wheat 
about 80 acres is knee high, and presents a fine, healthy 
appearance. Peach, pear and many varieties of plums 
promise an abundance of excellent fruit. Mr. Barton 
assumes the exclusive control and management of the 
gigantic enterprise, and in a few years the Barton 
vineyard depots will be established throughout the 
Union. About 20 to 30 men are constantly employed. 
It costs about, on an average, $1,500 per month to run 
his vineyard the year round. Mrs. Barton, who is 
described by Mr. Miller, editor of the Fresno Repub- 
lican, as Mr. Barton's most excellent lady, is the only 
sister of Mf . Robert N. Graves, President of the Bodie 
Railroad .Company. She declares that she and the 
childre|r'ajfe perfectly delighted with the country and 
climate,. : and happy and contented in their beautiful 
rural borne. A number of parties almost daily view 
this Aladdin's palace of the plains. Mr. Stanford, of 
the. Central Pacific and Southern Pacific Railroad 
ITq^hpanies has informed the proprietor that he will 
yjsit the vineyard next month. 

FRESNO CANAL AND IRRIGATION CO. 

Of the many enterprises that have contributed to 
the material wealth and development of the rich agri- 
cultural lands lying between the San Joaquin and 
Kings rivers, the Fresno Canal and Irrigation Company 
deservedly stands at the head. Prior to the inaugur- 
ation of this enterprise, this immense body of land 
was a vast, treeless plain, valueless, except as a graz- 
ing pasture for large herds of horses, cattle and sheep. 
The introduction of irrigation by this company has 
wrought an almost miraculous change in the whole 
face of the country. Thousands of acres of land that 
were then considered of no marketable value, and 
were believed to be of no utility — save for grazing 
purposes during a limited portion of the year — are, to- 
day, the most delightful horticultural farms in the 
world. Previous to 1868, no water had ever been 
appropriated for irrigation purposes, or diverted from 
the channel of Kings river, with the exception of a 
small ditch taken out by a Center ville company for 
purely local purposes. In the fall of 1868, M. J. 
Church came to the county, and, fully impressed with 
the belief that all the lands wanted, to make them pro- 
ductive and capable of sustaining a dense population 
of energetic and prosperous farmers and fruitgrowers 
was water, he proceeded with a quiet but unflinching 
determination to take from the large volume of water, 
that was then running to waste in Kings river, 
enough to irrigate this magnificent body of land. The 
Centerville Water Company was bought out, and Mr. 
Church went to work to take out other ditches, suffic- 
ient in capacity to carry 3,000 cubic feet of water 



per second. The stockmen, feeling that irrigation 
would conflict with their interests, opposed the scheme 
with might and main. Others joined in the clamor 
against the project, and Mr. Church and his water 
scheme were common subjects of ridicule. He, how- 
ever, pushed his work energetically forward, until the 
people saw that he meant business, that he was likely 
to succeed, that it was likely to be a source of great 
revenue, and other parties began to cast about them 
to devise means to forestall him in the appropriation 
of the water. Being apprised of their intentions, Mr. 
Church, in 1872, published his notice of intention to 
appropriate 3,000 cubic feet of water for irrigating 
purposes, filed articles of incorporation under the name 
and title of the Fresno Canal and Irrigation Company, 
and proceeded with the work in hand. Out of this irri- 
gation scheme the celebrated "No Fence Law" natur- 
ally grew as a necessary consequence. The passage of 
this law was earnestly advocated by Mr. Church, and 
ably assisted by Hon. Tipton Lindsay, of Visalia, and 
others. The law found its place on the statute books. 
This measure was also obnoxious to the stockmen, and 




SECTION OF BIG TREES— CALAVEEAS GROVE. 

the opposition became so violent that Mr. Church's 
life was at times seriously menaced. Still he never 
flinched. Having put his hand to the plow, he could 
neither be persuaded or frightened into looking back. 
The work progressed slowly, but surely ; the enter- 
prise began to assume the gigantic proportions to which 
it afterwards attained, and Mr. Church was persuaded 
to divide his interest into four equal parts, wmich were 
accordingly sold — one-fourth each to F. Roeding, A. Y 
Easterby and W. S. Chapman. A contest arose, es- 
pecially between Messrs. Chapman and Church, in re- 
gard to the conduct and management of the enterprise. 
Mr. Church finally disposed of his remaining one- 
fourth interest to Chapman, which latter finally got 
control. of the entire interest,, and the whole thing was 
hypothecated and sold, Mr. Church purchasing the 
entire interest, since which time he has been the sole 
owner. The town of Fresno and the vicinity for many 
miles owes its location and much of its wealth, vigor 
and prosperity to the Fresno Canal and Irrigation 
Company. It has always been the confident prediction 



22 



FRESNO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, 



of Mr. Stanford that Fresno would make the best 
town on the road between Stockton and Los Angeles. 
The company's franchise calls for 3,000 cubic feet of 
water. One-eighth of a cubic foot is amply sufficient 
to irrigate a 20-acre tract of land. At that rate the 
water appropriated will irrigate 480,000 acres of land. 
The more the land is irrigated, the less water is re- 
quired. Where a few short years ago the rattlesnake, 
rabbit, squirrel and the owl made their home, where 
the toad and lizard gamboled in the broiling sun, to- 
day we see the fat, sleek, milch cows, millions of 
sheep, untold numbers of grapevines and fruit trees, 
and rosy-cheeked children. 

CENTERVILLE. 

This quiet rural town was once the headquarters, or 
chief stopping place, for the stage, which, prior to the 
advent of the locomotive, ran from Stockton to 
Visalia. Since the abandonment of the stage route 
this place has been almost buried in oblivion, and the 
land, which would bring $300 an acre as close to Los 
Angeles as this is to the town of Centerville, only 
brings $27.50 per acre. Good news is in store for Cen- 
terville ! The rich capitalists of Fresno are in favor of 
almost immediately running a narrow gauge railroad 
from Fresno to Centerville, which is the gate of the 
mountain passes and foothill ranges, from whence the 
wood, logs for lumber, grain and country produce are 
conveyed by teams. Although numerous teams are 
engaged in this business, they are insufficient to meet 
the increasing demand. Centerville has a population 
of about 800 souls, 300 being Indians. There are stores, 
saloons, a school and a picturesque church. In the 
early days, women being scarce, a number of white 
men selected Indian squaws for their wives, and to-day 
they reside in the foothills and mountains, contented 
with their squaws and children. 

EISEN'S VINEYARD 

Is the pioneer vineyard of Fresno county, midway be- 
tween Fresno city and Centerville. The viueyard has 
proved to be a greater financial success than was at 
first anticipated. When Mr. Eisen came to Fresno 
county 8 years ago, the present site of his now famous 
ranch was one bleak region of sand fields; now 
there are beautiful avenues, skirted on either side by 
oleander and poplar trees, 80 feet high. The entire 
ranch has a vineyard containing 250 acres upon it, 
where there are growing more than 250 varieties of 
grapes. Last year he built a wine cellar, 150x130 feet, 
at a cost of $10,000. Here grapes are made into wines 
which have been pronounced by the best judges to be 
of excellent quality. The port, sherry and the differ- 
ent brandies have no superior. Twenty carloads of 
w r ines and brandies were shipped from the vineyard 
last year, and it is estimated that during the present 
season there will be upon the market not less than 80, - 
000 gallons. Vines 2 years old yield 6| tons per 
acre, while three-year-old vines yield 8 tons per acre. 
The present superintendent, E. J. Barber, reports 
everything in fine condition, and says he has in his 
employ 15 white men and about 20 Chinamen. The 
former superintendent has gone to Guatemala, where 
he expects to gather material for an elaborate report 
upon the grape growing facilities of that country. 

CHURCH COLONY, 

Or the Temperance colony, where no wine tasters or 
drinkers visit, or wine grape vines are raised, is a pros- 
perous community. Your correspondent, being the 
only abstainer in the entire party that visited the 
neighborhood, could not very well visit the Temper- 
ance community without he got off and walked, and 
then ran back to overtake his companions, after re- 



freshing themselves at the Eisen wine cellar, about one 
and one-half miles distant. So he thought the wisest 
course to pursue was to remain with the party, and 
grin and bear it ; hence our small account of the I. O. 
G. T. colony. 

NEVADA COLONY. 

Mr. F. Roeding, Vice President of the German Sav- 
ings and Loan Society, the owner, determined some 
time since not to sell in smaller tracts than 160 acres. 
Since January 1, 1882, four tracts of 160 acres each 
have been sold to Colonel Forsyth, J. E. Hamilton, 
Fred D. Woodworth and J. W. Pew, mining secretary, 
310 Pine street. Colonel Forsyth already has 80 acres 
planted to vines. Mr. Pew's tract is nearly all in grain, 
which promises to bring a bountiful harvest. Mr. 
Hamilton's land is being surveyed, preparatory to lev- 
eling this summer and fall. Surveyors are locating 
ditches for Mr. Woodworth. He will erect buildings 
immediately. J. T. Goodman has a fine farm under 
cultivation, 100 acres being planted to raisin grapes of 
the best varieties. J. W. Reese, Mrs. Stutzman and 
others are making extensive improvements in the 
Nevada colony > 

THE FRESNO VINEYARD COMPANY 

Was incorporated in 1880 by some of the leading wine 
manufacturers of San Francisco. Mr. L. P. Drexler, 
a well-known San Francisco capitalist and mining 
stock speculator, w^as elected President, and M. Theo. 
Kearney, Business Manager and Superintendent. Un- 
der the direction of these gentlemen there is every 
reason to believe that this vineyard will not be the 
least prosperous of the many promising properties in 
its proximity. Private business having compelled Mr. 
Kearney to resign his position as superintendent, Mr. 
D. D. Hudson, former foreman, has been appointed to 
the vacancy. 

BUTLER FARM. 

In the summer of 1881, Mr. A. B. Butler, of the 
livery stable on Bush, near Kearny, began the im- 
provement of his farm. The tract comprises 250 acres 
of choice land. One hundred and ninety acres have 
been planted to vines, all of the white muscat variety, 
thus making the largest raisin vineyard in the county. 
Mr. Butler's elegant dwelling is little less than a 
mansion. A large windmill pumps well water into a 
spacious tank, having a capacity of 4,500 gallons. 

McNEIL RANCH. 

James McNeil, former owner of the McNeil ranch, 
has recently disposed of his interest to his brother, 
G. L. McNeil. The ranch contains 600 acres, all under 
fence. On it there is an orchard of 200 acres, a vine- 
yard of 8 acres, 100 acres of alfalfa, and the balance 
in grain. Last year, by way of experiment, James 
McNeil shipped 9 carloads of pears to Chicago, real- 
izing from the venture a handsome profit. One thous- 
and tons of alfalfa hay was sold from the place at an 
average of $15 per ton. Mr. McNeil has every oppor- 
tunity to make a fortune. 

SCANDINAVIAN COLONY. 

The growth of the Scandanavian, or Home col- 
ony, has been very rapid since its inception, 3 years 
ago. In every respect it has shown itself to be 
in perfect keeping with the wonderfully progressive 
strides made by the county at large. Three years ago 
H. Voorman, of San Francisco, purchased 320 acres 
of land, situated 3 miles northeast of Fresno city. 
This tract was divided into 20-acre lots, and consti- 
tuted the original colony. Later in the year. C. A. 



FBB&N® tUMFiTTt, CALIF&MiflA. 



23 



Henry, corner Sacramento and Montgomery streets, 
was appointed general manager of the colony, but at 
present each party owns and manages his own lot. 
With the exception of three, every lot in Scandanav- 
ian colony bas been sold. Most of the lots have been 
placed in a fine state of cultivation. There are now in 
the colony 40 well-to-do families — 2 of which are 
American, 4 English, 3 Scotch, and the balance 
Scandinavian. 

THE SILK INDUSTRY. 

Of all fibers handled by the weaver, that produced 
by the selfish but industrious silkworm is the 
most valuable. Sister Harriet Stowe, champion of 
women's rights, and the able editor of one of the best 
journals in behalf of woman suffrage on the Pacific coast, 
attended the excursion as a representative of the press, 
and to make investigation into the growing of mul- 
berry trees, and the general facilities of female employ- 
ment. The streets in Fresno city are lined with mul- 
berry trees, heavily laden with fruit. Vineyards are 
attracting the general attention of the colonists, but 
Mrs. Stowe intends to agitate the silk industry until 
she has gained her point. Mrs. Stowe is, according to 
her statement, the recipient of letters daily from 
ladies all over the States inquiring in regard to labor 
and self-culture. The most prominent questions are 
the silk industry on the Pacific coast, and last, but not 
least, they desire to know what prospects there are 
for young ladies to secure nice husbands. Mrs. Stowe 
agrees to do her utmost in the former, but for the del- 
icate task of securing husbands for the unfortunates 
unmarried, she admits it beyond her power to act. 
Mr. Ferguson, editor of the daily and weekly Expos- 
itor, in Fresno city, has made a liberal offer to the 
ladies. He agrees to give them all the land they de- 
sire, with a free water right, providing they will locate 
and plant vineyards or mulberry trees immediately ; 
but for every 2 acres planted 1 is to go to the donor 
when the vines are 3 years old. 

THE EGGERS RANCH 

Contains 11 sections, 640 acres to the section, and in 
many instances it is systematically and artistically ar- 
ranged. A beautiful avenue leads from the highway to 
the house and from the back part of the ranch. There 
has been sown on the ranch this year 1,300 acres of 
wheat and 200 acres of barley. There is a large or- 
chard containing a variety of fruit trees and 450 acres 
of vines. Two hundred and fifty acres of vines have 
been added to the vineyard this year ; 200 acres bore 
grapes last year, and 200 acres more will bear the com- 
ing season. Next month a large winery, costing $30,- 
000, will be commenced. Mr. Eggers informed our 
correspondent that the distillery will be so constructed 
that an unlimited quantity of grapes can be utilized. 
Thirty men are constantly busy on the ranch perma- 
nently. Five thousand sacks of barley were taken 
from the ranch last year, and a much larger yield is 
expected from the present crop. Mr. Eggers may well 
feel proud of his possessions in Fresno county. 
Eggers' ranch bears the same good name as the Barton 
vineyard for the genuine hospitality with which a 
stranger is received, even when Mr. Eggers is absent 
and residing in this city. His superintendent, Mr. 
G. W. Taft, has instructions from the generous-hearted 
and open-handed proprietor to withdraw the cork of 
the very best for the thirsty travelers, as though he 
were present. We are informed there is one vineyard 
where the thirsty visitor is not only charged for what 
he drinks, but pays more for it than he would have to 
in the city of San Francisco, a distance of over 200 
miles. 

With the Eggers and Barton vineyards, and the pro- 
posed gigantic fruit cannery added to Fresno in 1882, 



we cannot but look for an ample reward for the perse- 
vering energy of these enterprising gentlemen. 

MAUD VINEYARD COMPANY. 

A syndicate of our leading San Francisco citizens 
incorporated this company with five stockholders. The 
vineyard has 160 acres, or shares, and was incorpor- 
ated under the name of the Maud Vineyard Company, 
and they are now preparing the whole vineyard for 
planting next winter, and now propose to organize an- 
other company to purchase 320 acres near Fowler's, 
Fresno county, with water for irrigating purposes, and 
prepare it for planting next winter. A number of 
parties have already signified their desire to take an 
interest in the enterprise. The company will incorpor- 
ate under the laws of the State and elect a Board of 
Trustees, who shall have the management of the bus- 
iness of the company. The company proposes to issue 
320 shares of capital stock. Then each share will rep- 
resent one acre of land, and the investment will have 
to be made on each share about as follows : For pur- 
chasing the land with water for irrigating, $30 per- 
share, cash at date of organizing ; for leveling, grading 
and checking, $20 per acre, in about 6 months ; for 
vines and planting, $10 per share, in about 9 months 
and then $10 per share per annum for 3J years. 
After that the land will pay its own way and 
pay handsome dividends yearly. With the land 
all planted to grapes 3^ years of age, it would be worth 
not less than $250 per acre in the market, and would 
really be worth much more to holders, as after that 
time we can safely estimate the crop at five tons to 
the acre, and the value at $20 per ton, equaling $100 
per acre, from which should be deducted not more 
than $25 per acre for cultivating, harvesting and mar- 
keting, leaving a net profit of $75 per acre. Judge 
North, of Washington colony, and Dr. Ball, of 
Sonoma county, who claims to be well posted, say that 
one can safely count on 10 tons of grapes per acre on 
Fresno county irrigated lands, and will be quite certain 
to realize $25 per ton, which would make, allowing $50 
per acre [for expenses, the handsome sum of $150 per 
acre per annum. 

CAPITAL NECESSARY TO START WITH. 

The question naturally arises, "What is the smallest 
sum considered necessary for a new comer to start 
with? " An industrious man may start almost without 
a dollar, hire out some years and work his way up by 
strict economy. But those who come here to make 
homes for themselves should have $500 to $1,000 to 
start with, on even che cheapest foothill lands. There 
may be some years of close effort, but even on this 
small capital, a valuable property can be developed in 
the course of 4 or 5 years. A small piece of good 
land is far better than a large piece of poor land. Ex- 
perienced farmers in Fresno county fully demonstrate 
that fruit crops are emphatically more profitable than 
grain, especially when irrigation facilities can be 
applied. Should the price of grain continue to decline 
we may reasonably expect t to see a still larger area of 
the county grain fields — notably the plains now devoted 
to grain and pasture — utilized to the production of 
grapes and other fruits. This will be true as long as 
the present expensive method of tillage for grain lands 
is practiced, and while harvesting continues to be as 
expensive. All over -the State of California it is dem- 
onstrated that with good prices, fair crops and the best 
of management, wealth pours in upon the farmer of 
the great grain fields all too slowly, and that 3 suc- 
cessive dry years embarrass many^a successful farmer. 
Failure of crops or death of cattle and sheep by 
drought compels him to mortgage his homestead, and 
in many instances they are financially worse off than 
when they commenced about 15 or 20 years previous. 



24 



FRE8NQ GQUNTW t GALIFQBNIAt 






A much smaller area of land, devoted exclusively 
to fruit and vines, will support a giveu number of 
persons than is required for their support upon 
tracts devoted exclusively to cereals. It is best to pur- 
chase only as much land as can certainly be paid for. 
Develop this thoroughly and make it profitable, and 
more land can be had at some future time. Many fail- 
ures have arisen from attempting too much. On the 
foothills there are extensive free ranges of nutritious 
grasses growing voluntarily in abundance, on which 
hogs will thrive and poultry can be kept, and vege- 
tables raised. Odd jobs of work done for the neigh- 
bors until your first crop of grapes will bring in a rev- 
enue. With irrigation and proper care the fourth 
year will pay for the cost of land and all expenses, and 
then leave a bank account. Each subsequent year will 
increase the production. Some years so high as $400 
profit per acre can be made on raisin gra23es, and sel- 
dom less than $200 net profit per acre. Taking the 
lowest figure on 20 acres of grapes, it is undoubtedly 
an independent income for a small family. The new 
settler who deserves success begins at bedrock ; his 
wife, if he has one, does the household work, both 
keep out of debt, buy as little as they can, wear their 
old clothes, work early and late, plant trees and vines, 
and have a definite aim in life. Such a man can come 
to California fruit districts with a small capital, and 
find it a good State for the poor man. 

WAGES. 

"Wages for ordinary day laborers range from $1.50 to 
$2 per day ; good labor, requiring familiarity with the 
work in hand brings $2.50, and skilled workmen, such 
as machinists, jewelers, etc., receive $3 and $4, and 
even more, per day ; masons, carpenters, stonecutters, 
etc., $3.50 to $4 per day; harvest hands (with board), 
$2 and upwards ; regular farm hands (with board), per 
month, $20 to $30.; female domestics (with board), $15 
to $25 per month. Clothing at San Francisco prices. 

HOUSEHOLD GOODS. 

Cooking stoves, furniture complete, $15 and up- 
wards ; tinware and queensware, San- Francisco prices; 
tables, $2 and upwards; chairs, 60 cents and upwards; 
bedsteads, from $3 upwards; common carpet, 2-ply, 
75 cents to $1.25. 

FARMING APPLIANCES. 

Wagons, $100 to $175; harness, $10 to $40 ; plows, 
$7.50 to $22; mowers, $100 to $250; American farm 
horses, $75 to $150; half breed Mexican horses, $25 to 
$75; hogs, $5 to $9; sheep — ewes, $1.50 to $5; rams, 
$10 to $50. 

FRUIT TREES AND PLANTS. 

Apple, 1 and 2 years old, per 100, $12.50 to $20; 
pear, 1 and 2 years old, per 100, $25 to $35 ; cherry, 1 
and 2 years old, per 100, $25 to $35; peach, 1 year old, 
per 100, $20 ; plum and prune, 1 and 2 years old, per 
100, $20 to $35; apricot, 1 and 2 years old, per 100, 
$25 to 835 ; nectarine, 1 and 2 years old, per 100, $25 
to $30; quince, 1 and 2 years old, per 100, $20 to $35 : 
fig, 1 and 2 years old, per 100, $20 ; orange and lemon, 
1 and 2 years from graft, each, 75 cents to $1.50; mul- 
berry trees, 75 cents each ; grapes, foreign, per 100, $6 ; 
grapes, raisin, per 100, $10; grape cuttings, 18 inches 
long, $2.50 to $5 per 1,000. 

Wood, hauled from the foothills to Fresno, a dis- 
tance of 20 miles, and sold at $6 per cord. Lumber is 
very cheap ; a rustic structure of 2 rooms can be built 
for $75 ; $500 will erect a nice two-story cottage, cap- 
able of resisting all weathers and accommodating a 
good-sized family. Neighboring farmers will plow 1 
acre of grape land for $3, and 1 acre of grain land for 
82. 



POPULATION. 

Fresno county, last census, was credited with a pop- 
ulation of 9,478 persons, and it is authentically re- 
ported that the population of Fresno county has in- 
creased two-fifths in the last 8 months. It is estimated 
that within two years the population will exceed 20,- 
000 persons, which is not at all surprising when we 
bear in mind that Fresno county is larger in area than 
the States of Connecticut, Delaware and Massachusetts. 
Rhode Island contains only 1,054 square miles, and 
has a population of 276,531; while Fresno has 8,750 
square miles, and only 9,478 persons registered on the 
last census roll. 

We insert a brief extract from a leading editorial 
published in the Virginia Chronicle, Nevada, April 8, 
1882, entitled "The Men who Shout for Protection to 
Labor." "The struggle of 5,000 operatives against 
$2,500,000 of capital still goes on at Lawrence, Massa- 
chusetts — a struggle begun by girls on 90 cents a day, 
who didn't want to be reduced to 68, and who were 
joined by other work women and workmen who had 
been treated to a like bitter dose. The final answer of 
the $2,500,000 to these poor girls, was, work at the 
reduction or go. We now propose to solve the capit- 
alist problem. The State of Massachusetts has an area 
of 7,800 square miles and a population of 1,783,085 
persons. Massachusetts is too thickly populated. 
Fresno county wants young emigrants to populate and 
develop its resourses. Nothing is more certain than 
that emigration is almost supplied by single persons in 
the beginning of mature life. Such persons marry and 
raise families. Nor is this all. It is not more true 
that emigrants, generally speaking, consist of individ- 
uals in the prime of life than that they are the most 
active and vigorous of that age. Their object in leav- 
ing their native countries or State is to settle in life — a 
phrase that needs no explanation. No equal number 
of human beings, therefore, has ever given so large or 
rapid an increase to a community as settlers have in- 
variably done; not because a new country makes 
people prolific, but because the most prolific people go 
to the unoccupied land." 

HEALTHFULNESS. 

The climate of Fresno county is generally con- 
ducive to health. The Sierra Nevada mountains and 
the San Joaquin valley are considered very healthy. 
In the low lands where the Kings river overflows 
there are at certain seasons some miasmatic diseases. 
But there are no diseases peculiar to Fresno alone. 
The temperature is generally mild and pleasant: the 
summers are warmer than San Francisco; in the 
evening, about 8 o'clock, a refreshing breeze 
springs up and gently blows all night — a hot, sultry 
summer night like the Eastern States is almost un- 
known in Fresno. In winter the San Joaquin valley 
and the Coast range are much colder than the foot- 
hills. The average rainfall is 7^ inches. About 6 
inches of rain is recorded to date for 1882. 

CHURCHES. 

St. James Church (Protestant Episcopal), Rev. D. 
O. Kelly, missionary in charge, was organized by him 
as the representative of the Bishop of the Diocese of 
California, in the fall of 1879. In the spring of 1880 
steps were taken toward the erection of a church. A 
lot was purchased from the railroad company, and a 
church building was begun in the fall of 1880. in which 
the first services Mere held on Sunday. April 3. 1881. 

St. John's Catholic Church.— The first steps taken 
toward the building of the above-named church was 
the organization of the Catholic Church Building 
Committee by the members of that faith on November 
22, 1878. The structure was commenced in August, 



FRESNO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA 



25 



1879, and completed two years after its foundation deeply impressed with a Spanish tradition, of which 

was laid. they were proud. It was stated that Adam paid a 

M. E. Church. — In 1875, an artistic and substantial visit to this sinful world in the 19th century. Calling 

church building was erected on the corner of Fresno at Berlin, the tumult of the various mechanical inven- 

and L streets, at a cost of something like $2, 500. The tions was too much for the good old gentleman. He 

church entered upon its career of usefulness under ascended from Berlin, descending in the midst of 




most auspicious cirucmstances. The present pastor is . Paris, where the ostentatious architecture and vanity 

the third incumbent, the Rev. I. L. Hopkins. of its inhabitants caused Adam to leave in disgust. 

_ _ _.„ „ He finally landed in a Spanish vineyard, exclaiming: 

GARDEN OF EDEN. « Thank God, this is the same as I left it. " It is true 

Your correspondent, while visiting Spain, the land that Spain, in comparison with the balance of the 

of the famous Malaga grapes, some years ago, was world, has made little or no progress in its agricultural 



6 



FEE&NQ @@WWT¥ S GALIFOMItlA* 



pursuits. Mules and Jerusalem ponies to-day, as 
thousands of years ago, transport the grain and grape 
on their backs in hampers, and the peasant youth and 
damsels attire in the same garb, with bare feet, as 
then. We are inclined to think that if Adam should 
visit Fresno about August he would believe it was the 
" Garden of Eden " resurrected from the flood. He 
would behold and inhale the permeated perfumery of 
the fragrant vegetation. He would see in its bloom 
the orange, lemon, the historical fig, pomegranate, 
quince, apricot, grape, nectarine, olive and all fruits, 
and the luxuriant mulberry tree, rivaling Japan and 
Asia Minor, which he would reluctantly leave. Any 
person that may have journeyed over the plains of 
Fresno county 4 or 5 years ago, and preserves in his 
mind their then barren and uninviting appearance, 
even though he may have lived continually in the 
country, cannot but be surprised at the marked 
change which has taken place in that time. Irrigating 
ditches are traversing the plain in every direction, and 
hundreds of dwellings have sprung and are springing 
up as if by magic. Sand heaps have been transformed 
into fields of living green. Tons and tons of alfalfa are 
cut where only a few scattering blades of grass form- 
erly grew, and bearing orchards and vineyards are 
flourishing where the shade of a tree was never be- 
fore known. Ascending to the dome of the magnificent 
courthouse, in Fresno, one is forcibly struck with the 
great change. When the building was erected, in 
1874, all that could be seen from it in any direction 
was thousands of acres for miles of nothing but dry, 
desolate waste. Now young forests can be seen on 
every hand. From the McNeill farm, on the north, 
there seems to be a continuous string of forests to the 
western boundary of the Central California colony. 
And the good work still progresses, with a prospect of 
continuance for future generations. 

REQUISITES OP THE COUNTY. 

Fresno requires, first of all, capital to develope her 
vast wealth. For the men who are afraid to trust to 
mining stock speculation, there is a safe investment. 
They have only to bring a few acres of the unclaimed 
or unproductive desert in contact with water, plant 
vines or fruit trees and prosperity is assured. The 
Creator has placed within reach profitable ventures 
not equaled in the western hemisphere, and it is only 
waiting for the magic wand of capital to enable the 
county's mountains, plains and valleys to send forth 
streams of treasure. The county of Fresno also offers 
special inducements for poor men. For live, active 
men, with plenty of push and vim, there is always an 
opening. We want in Fresno men, with strong hands 
and stout hearts, men who are willing to work, men 
who are not afraid to haul off their coats, and work 
like Adam by the sweat of their brow, men who can 
sleep with the canopy of heaven for a covering when 
unable to secure shelter under a roof, men who are not 
above turning their hands to anything that may 
turn up. 

We have briefly stated the requisites. It may not 
be out of order to allude to the unrequisites. Of 
lawyers and doctors the city of Fresno has more than 
enough, and an influx of the " learned professions " is 
not desirable. The city is ahead, already over- 
crowded, and sharp competition has made by the 
practice of law and medicine anything but millionaires 
of the practitioners. Judge Hart, a Fresno pioneer of 
'49, says there is always room at the top of the pro- 
fession for 1 or 2 more. Of clerks, and all those 
who are seeking desirable positions, where the labor 
is light and the salary high, the supply . on hand 
already exceeds the demand, and such persons had 
better remain where they are, unless they are willing 
to embrace anything that presents itself, from a mule 



team hauling wood from a distance of 20 to 30 miles 
miles from the mountains, to irrigating and cultivating 
vineyards, and polishing the head of a drill. 

A GLIMPSE OF FRESNO'S FUTURE. 

It is unnecessary for me to give the average intelli- 
gent' reader of the Post my ideas of Fresno's future 
prosperity. After carefully analyzing the county's 
past and present history, prudence teaches us that if 
the present industry continues to progress, as it has 
in the past few years, a quarter of a century hence 
we will witness the general distribution of the county's 
various delicious fruits in every city and mart of the 
Union. Her raisins supplying the whole Eastern and 
Western hemisphere, her wines sparkling in every 
part of the globe, the extensive silk industries second 
to none in the world, and then, with our picturesque 
mountains, pastoral plains, fertile valleys and sunny 
clime, combined with the resources of her present un- 
developed gold, silver, copper, quicksilver, iron, lead 
and coal mines, Fresno county will indeed have a pop- 
ulation exceeding 75,000 souls sharing in her abundant 
prosperity. Time and space will not allow me to de- 
scribe the county as I should desire td. I fear my pen 
has not given the full justice due the early pioneers, 
who assumed such a conspicuous part in the historical 
days of " '49 and '50" in conquering and subduing the 
rapacious and tenacious wild Indian. 

In conclusion I will give a little advice in a con- 
densed form. We have plenty of room in Fresno 
county for active, enterprising, energetic young men 
and women, the latter as housekeepers and domestics 
until they superintend homes of their own, and the 
former to open up the mines, cover the plains and hill- 
sides with flocks and herds, cultivate the rich valleys 
and vineyards, budd up happy homes and prosperous 
communities, allowing moral principles to predominate, 
such as industry, temperance, soberness and chastity, 
and each day return grateful thanks to the Great 
Architect of the Universe for the blessings bestowed 
on all. 



A THRIVING COUNTY. 



[From the Daily Morning Call, San Francisco, August 13, 1882.] 



ARCD PLAINS CONVERTED INTO FRUITFUL VINEYARDS 
AND ORCHARDS — WHAT MAY BE ACCOMPLISHED BY 
ENTERPRISE, INDUSTRY AND WATER — A FLOURISH- 
ING town — California's resources. 



The traveler by rail over the bare and burning 
plains of the Upper San Joaquin valley, in Fresno 
county, little conceives that on either side of him there 
is a district that for wine and fruit culture bids fair to 
rival, at a no distant date, the most favored localities 
of this country and of Europe. That these arid plains 
which, but a few years back, were deemed almost 
worthless, are susceptible of the highest state of culti- 
vation when irrigated, no longer remains a question of 
speculation, but one of established fact, as witnessed 
by a large number of excursionists who left this city at 
9:30 a. m. Friday, August 4th, with the Fresno colo- 
nies as their objective point. Fresno city, situated in 
the center of the district now undergoing transforma- 
tion from a di-eary waste to fresh green vineyards and 
fruit-laden orchards, was reached at 7 p. m.. and there 
the excursionists were met by Thomas Hughes and 
Sons, the projectors of the excursion, who placed ear- 



FBBSM® a&WMWY„ 0AMFWMW1A 



27 



riages and drivers at the disposal of the visitors, who 
devoted the two succeeding days — Saturday and 
Sunday — to the inspection of the vineyards and 
orchards that are springing up as if by magic through- 
out the surrounding country. 

A PROMISING CITY. 

Fresno city, which but 10 years ago was located by 
the railroad company as nearly as possible to the geo- 
graphical centre of the county, is now a flourishing 
town of over 2,000 inhabitants. On every side are in- 
dications of its rapid advancement. Everyone whom 
The Call correspondent met was either making money, 
or developing schemes with " millions " in them. The 
recent fire, in which 3 hotels and one of the largest 
blocks were destroyed at a loss of about $100,000, is 
looked upon by the citizens of Fresno as a benefit 
rather than a detriment to their town, as the property 
destroyed was well insured, and plans have already 
been made to replace the wooden structures with sub- 
stantial buildings of brick and iron. Already the 
work has begun, and the excavation of cellars and 
the laying of masonry are in progress. Hughes & Sons 
have perfected plans for the erection of a two-story 
brick and iron building, 75x150, at the northwest 
corner of Tulare and I streets. The lower story will 
be divided into 7 stores, 3 of which have already 
been engaged. The upper story will be devoted 
to the purposes of a public hall, and the structure 
will combine all modern appliances tending to make it 
a substantial and elegant building. Mr. Blasingame 
proposes to rebuild the Ogle House, and will increase 
its capacity by adding 50 feet to its width. The Far- 
mers' Bank will rebuild an elegant building of iron, 
granite and brick, plans of which are being matured. 
Hughes & Sons have already commenced to rebuild 
their stables on a new site selected on I street. Repairs 
on Einstein & Co's store are rapidly approaching com- 
pletion, and before long the burned district, where now 
are the ruins of buildings, will become the site of 
substantial brick structures. The brick to be used 
in the rebuilding of the burnt district is in pro- 
cess of manufacture at about one-half mile from the 
town, the cost being $7 per 1,000. 

In evidence of the prosperity of Fresno city, 150 
new buildings have been erected during the past year, 
6 of which were of brick. 

INDICATIONS OF PROSPERITY. 

The town is also justly proud of its fine court house, 
erected at a cost of $65,000; a new two-story 
school house capable of accommodating 500 pupils, 
3 large and handsome churches, 2 banks, water works 
of a capacity sufficient to supply 5,000 persons, and 
its many stores, factories and shops, from which 
the wants of a large interior population is supplied. 
The flouring mill of M. J. Church, which has a capac- 
ity of 100 barrels per day, is run by water brought 
across the plains by a canal from the Kings river, 
20 miles distant, and which, after turning the mill, 
is distributed for irrigation purposes. 

The question, " What shall the farmers do with 
their fruit ? " was practically determined in June last, 
when the Fresno Fruit Packing Company, W. J. Ste- 
vens, Superintendent, was organized by the capitalists 
of Fresno and its works located south of the railroad 
track. Here 100 men, women and girls are employed 
preparing and packing fruit grown in the surrounding 
country by the colonists. The works have a capacity 
of 200 hands, but thus far have been unable to employ 
more than 100, the labor supply in the town not being 
sufficient to meet the demand. The wages paid are $1 
per day to the regular hands, while others work by the 
piece, and average about the same wages. The child- 
ren employed are paid 50 cents per day. The bene- 



fit of the enterprise is marked, as the wages of its 
employers are expended in the town where they are 
earned. 

VINEYARDS AND ORCHARDS. 

A day was devoted by the excursionists to visiting 
the vineyards and orchards north and east of the town, 
and a description of some of the more prominent will 
prove of interest to all concerned in the development 
of the resources of California. 

One of the oldest of the vineyards of Fresno county 
is that of Mr. F. T. Eisen. This was reached by a 
drive of about 5 miles over the arid plain of which 
the now r fertile and productive vineyard once formed a 
part. The section now comprises 640 acres, which 
were purchased in 1873, and 10 acres set out to Mala- 
ga grapes, and on the following year 90 acres were 
set out in different varieties, principally Zinfandeland 
Feher Zagos, and since that time from 20 to 30 
acres have been added annually, until now there are 
160 varieties brought from all parts of the globe, on 
the 200 acres devoted to wine growing. In addition 
to this there are now about 20 acres planted to 
alfalfa, 20 acres in garden, 20 acres in Egyptian 
corn, and a considerable area in fruit trees, among 
which are about 40 varieties of pears. There is a 
number of trees, principally elm, poplar, locust, mul- 
berry, pine, Cyprus and cedar, which have attained a 
magnificent growth. The land is not only prepared 
for irrigation, but for submersion, it being cut in 
checks of 3 and 4 acres surrounded by banked ditches, 
from which the water is allowed to flow upon the 
sections thus formed, from 1 to 4 times each year, 
the number of the submersions being governed by the 
quality of the soil and the age of the vines under culti- 
vation, it having been found that the seepeage increased 
each succeeding year, thus lessening the necessity of 
irrigation. The vines are pruned twice a year and the 
ground once ploughed thoroughly, and careful cultiva- 
tion is then required for the remainder of the year. 
The vineyard has at different times been visited by 
insect pests, such as the grasshopper, red spider, grape 
moth and army worm, but the effects of the raids of 
these pests, have by persistent effort been overcome 
in the main, and preparations have been made for 
flooding out the phylloxera should it appear, it having, 
it is claimed, been demonstrated that it may be 
drowned out. 

A LARGE WINERY. 

A winery, 200x130, constructed of adobe brick 
covered with mastic, has been erected, and besides 
working the vintage of this vineyard, variously esti- 
mated at from 100,000 to 225,000 gallons, it also 
crushes the grapes of many of the smaller vineyards. 
The vintage consists mainly of grape brandy, and port 
and sherry, and also includes several varieties of claret 
and light wines. The grapes produced in this section 
are particularly adapted to the manufacture of sweet 
wines, it being claimed that they contain from 4 to 6 
per cent, more saccharine matter than those grown in 
the other counties. The wine cellars are approached 
by a doorway lined on either side by lofty Lombardy 
poplars, alternated with oleanders loaded with their 
brilliant flowers. In the cellars a bar is kept, at which 
the visitor may partake of the proprietor's hospitality 
and test his vintage, at 50 cents a pitcher. The vine- 
yard is guarded by the employes, and the excursionists 
were warned that they might look at, but not taste 
the grapes, with which the vines were loaded. Of the 
200 acres, 120 have been in for 5 years, and as the 
proprietor is extremely reticent as to the production of 
his estate, their yield is estimated at from 4 to 9 
tons to the acre, according to the richness of the soil, 
while Zmfandels of 3 years produce from 4 to 
5 tons. It is stated by those who claim to know 




28 



FBESNO COUNTY, gAMFORNIA, 



that a few choice acres of the vineyard produce 25 
and 30 tons each of grapes, hi addition to the winery 
there are also upon this vineyard the residence 
and stables of the proprietor and a cooper shop. To 
perform all the labor of this immense enterprise, 20 
white men and 30 Chinamen are employed, and that 
the owner will, within the next 4 years, reap a bounti- 
ful financial return for his investment of capital may 
not be doubted. 

THE EGGERS FARM. 

As a type of the enterprise of Fresno county, the 
farm of George H. Eggers, situated east of that above 
mentioned, is second to none. It was purchased by 
its present proprietor 10 years ago, and consists of 
9 sections of 640 acres each. Oi these 25 acres are 
in orchard and 400 in grapes, of the latter 100 acres 
being 2^ years old, and from which the owner expects 
to gather this month 3 tons to the acre. With the 
greatest courtesy, Mr. Eggers personally exhibited 
the improvements of his estate to the excursion- 
ists, and extended them his hospitality. He is just 
completing the erection of a distillery and ferment- 
ing house, 64x64, two stories in height, constructed 
of adobe brick, and of a capacity of 125 tons daily. 
In it are placed the most improved machinery for 
crushing and distilling, and a hoisting apparatus that 
will enable a load of grapes to be almost instantly un- 
loaded and hoisted to the crusher, on the upper rloor. 
At about 40 feet distant from this building is a wine 
cellar, 40x100, also of adobe. The water used by the 
boiler and for other purposes in the winery is supplied 
by an artesian well, a copious supply being found in a 
bed of line gravel at a depth of 122 feet. The varieties 
of grapes mainly grown in this vineyard are the Zin- 
fandel and Mission. Thirty men are continually 
employed among the vines. A comfortable farm 
house, surrounded by shade trees, is now situated on 
the farm, and this Mr. Eggers proposes to soon sup- 
plant by an adobe residence, in which he will himself 
reside and devote much of his attention to grape 
culture. 

THE BARTON VINEYARD. 

The pride and, consequently, the show place of 
Fresno, is the Barton vineyard. Just east of the town 
is the Barton vineyard, owned and conducted by Mr. 
.Robert Barton. It comprises a .section of 640 acres, 
and has been laid out at a great cost to the owner, he 
having expended $125,000 to date, and expects to add 
$50,000 more to his outlay before receiving any sub- 
stantial return. Mr. Barton has 500 acres in grapes, 24 
in alfalfa and 25 acres in orchard. Of the grapes, 
about 300 acres are in their third year, and from these 
he expects to gather a good yield this year. The es- 
tate is enclosed with a substantial rabbit-proof fence, 
and upon it have been laid out 8 miles of drive, one 
of the roadways making the circuit of the farm, 
and being lined on either side with rapidly-growing 
poplars. Mr. Barton has erected an attractive and 
comfortable residence, and caused the grounds imme- 
diately surrounding it to be tastefully laid out in lawns 
and flower beds. The stable and houses and other 
farm buildings are conveniently arranged, and built in 
a substantial and attractive manner. Arrangements 
have just been completed for the erection of a large 
winery, work upon which will be commenced at an 
early date. Judging by the present high state of 
cultivation of this vineyard, as attained in the short 
space of 3 years, the changes of the next few years 
may be anticipated as enormous, for in no other vine- 
yard is the change wrought by the introduction of 
water and a good system of irrigation, in what before 
was nothing but an arid plain, more marked than in 
this gigantic enterprise. 



Numerous other large and ''thrifty vineyards and 
orchards were visited, but the description of those 
above will apply to them, only differing in age, size, 
and in some instances lacking the careful cultivation 
of those mentioned. 

THE COLONIES. 

Sunday was devoted by the excursionists to visiting 
the colonies, in which are situated the small farms. 
These are mainly situated south of the town and oft* the 
track of the Southern Pacific railroad. Of these colo- 
nies there are several, but being contiguous to each 
other they differ merely in years and development. 
They were of course projected by land speculators, 
who purchased large tracts, brougnt water for irriga- 
tion purposes to them, cut them up into sections of 
20 acres each, and disposed of them in lots to suit 
purchasers. None of these lands may now be pur- 
chased for less than $50 per acre. The Central colony, < 
which is the oldest, dates back to June 1, 1875, and 
embraces 6 square miles of land, divided into 192 
farms. There are now about 86 families in the colony, 
and of the tract 450 acres are in alfalfa, 330 in 
grapes, and ' 85 in orchard, besides many flower and 
vegetable gardens. The farms are so located as to be 
susceptible of irrigation from the ditches, and are laid 
out with streets and avenues, many of which have been 
planted on either side with rapidly developing shade 
trees. Of the farms it may be said, as of all others in 
the State, they are distinguished from each other by 
the time of their cultivation and the thrift and enter- 
prise of their owners. 

Among the farms pointed.to with pride was that of 
80 acres, purchased about 6 years ago by Miss M. F. 
Austin, at that time a principal in a fean Francisco 
school. Miss Austin, who has since devoted her atten- 
tion to farming, has now 45 acres in vines, one -third of 
which is bearing, and from which she has received a 
return in one year of 20,000 pounds of raisins. She 
has also a large orchard of peaches, pears, plums and 
nectarines in good bearing. Miss Austin and the other 
ladies associated with her have built up a most flour- 
ishing enterprise, in which they are most content, 
although on one occasion Miss Austin, in a moment of 
abstraction, was heard to sigh and express a regret at 
the lack of schoolmasters in the central colony. 

THRIVING HOMES. 

Many instances of the building up of good homes 
and the establishing of bank accounts are related 
among the colonists. 

One of the most homelike of all the small farms of 
the colonies is that of S. L>. Fresh, situated in the Cen- 
tral colony, and comprising 20 acres. As it is an 
example of the possibilities of the county when devel- 
oped with perseverance and industry, a brief resume 
of the experiences of Mr. Fresh, and his amiable help- 
meet, as narrated by themselves while exhibiting their 
farm to the excursionists, may prove of benefit to those 
desiring information, based on the purely practical. 
Said Mrs. Fresh : " We came here in 1876, and pur- 
chased these 20 acres for 81,000, and moved into 
the shanty over there (pointing to one corner of the 
section), left by a surveying party. For the tirst 2 
years we felt pretty blue, and began to think we had 
been taken in by a land swindle, for we could do noth- 
ing owing to the trouble over the water, which was in 
litigation. In 1878 our work really commenced, and 
you can see the result ; we have made a good living 
and put away something, and we value our place at 
$6,000, although it is not for sale, for we like it and it 
makes us a nice home, and yields us a good income on 
that sum." 

An inspection of the farm showed that of the 20 
acres 5 were in grapes, 2 of which were in vines 







i'f: 



i:t 






5 5 <>*:f?5 1 










4 "H li'i ftf i* II #l|fi 

' * *~ * 4 v 7 * * * * * 













THE EGGERS VINEYARD, 



MILES 

50O ACR 










WINE CELLARS.OFFICE 
AND DISTILLERY BUILDINGS 






rwirnii-ti 










4"4T IVlilfili'iltliTif tfiftff I f iiiiiiil 



*'■'¥ 









* *-4 ^ *£* *+*•** 

* * * % #. * -# :4s:- 



* '*>* -*' at * -"-- "' 



<P 5$ •% 

************** 




. E. OF FRESNO, FRESNO COUNTY CAL. 

H VINES. 



RU-IOTT LITH.4SI MONT. ST. 



FRE&N& gQUNTT, CAL1FQEN1A, 



29 



4 years old, and which the owners said they would 
be disappointed if they did not yield at least 10 tons 
to the acre, which they could sell at from $20 to $25 
per ton ; 5 acres were in alfalfa, from which 5 crops 
are cut each year ; 5 acres planted in the Spring 
in wheat, which was cut in May, and Egyptian 
corn, of which they expect a good crop, then put in. 
The remaining five acres were in orchard, vegetables 
and berries. All the vegetables required for home con- 
sumption were raised in the garden, while the fruits 
and other products were sold. The vines and fruit 
trees were bending with their loads of ripening fruit, 
and baskets tilled with peaches, pears and nectarines 
were standing near by, waiting either to be forwarded 
to the city or to be prepared by drying, which latter 
process a large quantity of peaches spread upon boards 
were undergoing. A large flock of chickens were Mrs. 
Fresh's special pride, she remarking that with a dozen 
chickens she could furnish the household supplies of 
the family. At one side of the patch of alfalfa 30 
stands of bees were doing finely, and, although Mrs. 
Fresh insisted that they were most quiet and inoffen- 
sive creatures, and walked among them with impunity, 
one of • the excursionists, who bore the sobriquet of 
" Colonel," and who had just entered upon a warlike 
tale, entitled " When I Was in the Army," beat a most 
unwarlike retreat, as a couple of the honey-gatherers 
circled around his head, and Mrs. Fresh was called 
upon to act as army surgeon and apply soda to reduce 
the swelling upon the military poll, while the "Colonel" 
solaced himself with the reflection that his assailant 
would most assuredly be driven from the hive and cast 
upon his own resources for having lost his sting, and 
he would be thus avenged. In the centre of the farm, and 
surrounded by large shade-trees — planted 6 years ago 
by the proprietor — and brilliant-hued flowers, was a. 
neatly -painted cottage, just built from the proceeds of 
the farm, although the shanty was still allowed to stand 
in one corner, " in remembrance of the many days spent 
within it." This year another 20-acre farm was 
purchased for $1,000, and rented for $150 per annum. 
Take it all in all, the Fresh farm presented a most 
brilliant example of what industry, perseverance and 
water may accomplish in Fresno, for all the labor upon 
it has been done by Mr. Fresh and his amiable "wife 
and a young son, with the occasional assistance of a 
Chinaman. 

A GREAT ARIETY OP SOIL. 

Is to be found in and about the colonies and vineyards, 
sandy loam, sediment soils and red loam being among 
the varieties. 

Colony lands purchased with water right cost not 
less than $50, while outside lands, 6 to 12 miles 
from Fresno, and handy to canal, are sold from $14 to 
$40 per acre. With all colony lands a permanent water 
right is sold for the sum of $5 per acre, while a tax of 
$12.50 per annum for each 20 acre tract is levied on 
each 20 acres to maintain the main ditch, while 
each colony has its own water boss to distribute the 
water to the different farms from the main ditch, and 
this official they assess themselves about 50 cents each 
per month to pay. It is estimated that, after the pur- 
chase of colony lands, it will cost from $10 to $50 per 
acre, to level them so that they may be flooded, and 
that the whole expense of putting in grape cuttings, 
after water is brought to the land from the main ditch, 
yfevglmg, checking and planting will be $20 to $<£0 
' per acre, if done with hired labor. >• 

The water used in irrigation is now all brought from 
the Kings River, distant 20 miles from its point 
of distribution, through a large ditch, known as the 
Church ditch, by the Fresno Canal and Irrigation 
Company. The iranchise of this corporation calls for 
3,000 cubic feet of water ; and, as it is estimated that 



one-eighth of a foot of water will irrigate 20 acres 
of land, the supply is sufficient for 480,000 acres. A 
movement, having at its head prominent and enterpris- 
ing capitalists, is now on foot to bring water trom 
the San Joaquin river on the lands north and west of 
the town. 

Artesian water is obtained at a depth of from 120 to 
200 feet, and the percolation of the water from the 
ditches has been such that sunken wells where water 
was only had at a depth of 40 feet now flow within 8 
feet of the surface. 

The wages of laborers in this section" are from $1 to 
$2 per day, while skilled labor is paid from $2 to $4. 

The climate is stated by the residents to be generally 
mild, with light breezes blowing most of the time. 
During the visit of the excursionists the weather was 
stated to be about the warmest of the year, and the 
thermometer ranged from 90° to 110° in the shade. 

Of course, the influx of Chinese to this coast has re- 
sulted in a " Chinatown " becoming an unavoidable 
adjunct of every town and city in the State. At 
Fresno the heathen have been located in a quarter 
south of the railroad track, and a recent attempt of a 
Chinaman to locate in a house north of the track re- 
sulted in the calling of a mass meeting of the citizens, 
at which it was determined that the Chinese must 
confine themselves to the quarter set apart for them. 

As shown by the results of the past 5 years, 
Fresno is unexcelled in its capacity for development as 
a vine-growing country, and affords one of the many 
examples of the resources of California. 



FRESNO. 



[From Vanity Fair, of San Francisco.] 



It is a new-born city. Its name and fame, like that 
of a royal infant, has gone abroad. Its wealth, its 
richness and its possibilities have been largely circu- 
lated. They have taken Shakespeare's advice, " If you 
have a good thing, advertise it." This they have, for 
the country around about is rich in promises, rich in pro- 
ductiveness, rich in climate and rich in scenery. Here 
Prosperity said, "I will build me a mighty city, and 
its name shall be called Fresno." The land around 
Fresno is like that which supported the great Babylon 
— between 2 rivers, and irrigated from them. It 
stands in the upper San Joaquin, and this productive 
valley will build for itself a great central city. The 
place is growing rapidly. It has a population of over 
3,000. The town is full of hope, life and business. 
The soil has been tested, and it yields enormous profits. 
The Fresno, the Central and the Scandinavian colonies 
have located near the city. They have turned the 
water upon the soil, and it produces the finest apricots, 
peaches, pears, grapes, plums, prunes, blackberries 
and strawberries in the world. Thirty-five Fresno 
peaches weigh 20 pounds, and one of its water-melons 
alone weighed 85. The county is 160 miles long and 
80 wide. One sunny morning we were taken to the 
tower of the Court-house and shown the glory of the 
vast surrounding country. And what a sight there 
was, my countrymen ! 

Look where we would, a vast level plain between 
Hwo rivers — the San Joaquin and Kings — stretched 
before us. More than a 100 miles away — though it 
seemed but 20 — the Sierra mountains lifted their 
aged heads in the sunlight ; for they were white, and 
have been so from time before history. 

While in the place the citizens seemed so ready to 
please us and give us information, that we were much 



30 



FEESMQ Q&UMTY, QAMFQENIA 



delighted with the place and the people. Mr. J. E,. 
White introduced us to Mr. Cory, an Ohio man, who 
drove us out one afternoon to Mr. Barton's line vine- 
yard and home, and around to other various points of 
interest. At Mr. Egger's winery we tasted some ex- 
cellent wine, and at Mr. Eisen's place some of the 
sweetest grapes that ever delighted mortal palate. 

Real estate has received a substantial boom, and the 
city's future outlook is most promising. The place has 
one daily, the Expositor, and three weeklies. The city 
had a very fortunate lire. It burned almost a block of 
second-rate houses. They will be replaced by new 
and creditable brick buildings. 



COMING TO CALIFORNIA. 



[ From the San Francisco Evening Bulletin, Nov. 25, 1882.] 



SOME FACTS ABOUT THE BOOM IN FRESNO COUNTY — 
THE METHOD OF IRRIGATION. 



The weekly reports of the Immigration Association 
show a large increase, in the past b' months, in the 
arrival of prospective settlers in this State. Nearly 
all of these enter this city. From here they branch 
out in all directions except west; to the northern tim- 
ber forests, to the southern orange groves, to the 
mountain mines, some of them, and to the foothill 
vineyards and fruit farms of the interior. Other adja 
cent States and Territories, of course, secure their pro- 
portion of these immigrants. The settlers are mostly 
irom the Eastern States, and many also from the Cen- 
tral and Western States, who come prompted by the 
desire to go further west. Some of them are peasants 
from across the Atlantic. With few exceptions they 
come to locate on unoccupied Government or railroad . 
land, and thus some of the counties of California mos,/ 
sparsely settled are getting the greater portion of theSe 
new comers. The matter was recently taken in hand b} r 
the Immigration Association, and all the vacant lauds 
in Lake, Mendocino, San Luis Obispo and other boun- 
ties were listed, and maps of reference are preserved at 
the office of the Association in this city. 

But in some of the best counties all the land has 
been taken up. In many instances the land is the best 
for special purposes, and capitalists and enterprising 
farmers have made haste to secure it. 

A BOOM FOR FRESNO. 

Fresno county, located inland, a little south of the 
c inter of the State, is a notable instance of this man- 
ner of procedure. This county is now having a boom. 
Settlers of a good class are coining in rapidly. Few of 
these are from the East or from other countries. The 
majority are young men, single or with families, from 
tne larger cities of this State. They come with capital 
and settle on mostly small tracts, paying from $20 to 
$50 an acre. Many young men have gone from this 
city. They are well educated and from good families, 
but in this vineyard valley they see the road to wealth, 
with the accompaniments of a pleasant, healthful life 
and a home and a land of their own. And for these 
things the bustling, crowded, wearing life of the city 
is forsaken. A young man formerly of San Francisco, 
who has located recently in Fresno, was in the city 
yesterday. In an interview with him a few facts rela- 
tive to this district of country were obtained. 

The greater population of the county is clustered in 
a radius about Fresno city. 



THE COLONY SYSTEM. 

Colonies are numerous. A section of land, divided 
into 20-acre tracts, bordered by water ditches, and 
sold to different families is the foundation of a 
colony. Southeast of the city is the Central colony ; 
north is the Scandinavian colony, and in different 
directions, 6 or 8 miles away, are the Church, 
Washington and Hughes colonies. The) 7 have no or- 
ganization, and no stores. All the trading is done in 
Fresno. Small farmers in most cases do not ship, but 
take all their fruit to town to dealers, who send it to a 
market. In some instances there is the New England 
method of bartering, and orchard or vineyard products 
are exchanged for household supplies. 

GRAPES, WINES AND RAISINS. 

As has been said, the locality is booming. The 
land produces wonderful crops, caused partly by the 
irrigation system. Grapes and orchard fruits are the 
principal products. Most of the grapes are made into 
raisins. For this industry the climate is excellent. 
In summer there is a steady dry heat, that is found in 
few other parts of the State. Briggs, of Yolo county 
raisin fame, has recently bought nearly 5,000 acres near 
Fresno. He is selling to settlers, but has reserved for 
a raisin farm for himself about 900 acres. Table grapes 
are raised to some extent, and considerable wine is 
made. The principal vines planted are Muscat, the, 
Zinfandel and seedless Sultana. Messrs. Lachman & 
Jacobi, of vinicultural reputation, have recently built 
large wineries in the vicinity, and other persons have 
smaller presses and vaults. Five wineries have been 
built in the past year. Small growers sell to the 
wineries, securing from $20 to $i>0 per ton for their 
grapes. As the smallest yield is 4 or 5 
average yield 8 tons, and the possible p 
or 14 tons per acre, the profits may be e 
culated. Compared with other counties, 
per acre seems enormous. Five years ago 
land sold for $5 per acre ; now the average price 
with water- right. 

IRRIGATION. 

The perfect irrigating system of this district is well- 
known, but a few facts may be interesting. The sup- 
ply of water is obtained from Kings Kiver, about 
18 miles away. From the main irrigating ditch, 
in size, a small river, smaller ditches cross and recross 
the sections of land. It is asserted that enough water 
is carried in these ditches to irrigate successfully 10 
times the amount of land at present under cultivation. 
The principal irrigating system is controlled by the 
Fresno Canal and irrigation Company. There is an- 
other large ditch owned by other parties, called the 
Gould ditch. All the land is frequently overflowed. 
No phylloxera or fruit pests have yet appeared, in 
consequence it is claimed of the irrigating method. 
The charge for irrigating is $5 per acre, a right for 50 
years. In addition, there is a charge for the purpose of 
keeping the canal in repair, of §100 for every quarter 
section of land, and smaller holders are charged in the 
same proportion. A number of artesian wells have 
been sunk. Good water can readily be obtained. 
Some farmers of small tracts irrigate from wells. 

VINEYARD LABOR 

In Fresno city there is a large Chinatown, and 
Chinese are universally employed for vineyard labor. 
Little other help can be secured. There is a need of 
good farm hands. They are paid S'25 or $30 per month, 
including board. Chinese receive £l a day and 
board themselves. Mechanics receive from $2.50 to 
84 and found. Some of the Chinese have large vege- 
table gardeus. Fresno city is as yet unincorporated. 




; i 



•fcgMWpn III! '■! fl '■^■■Ij 






ff\i 



nv 



-,«fc- .*&;' tfi,--^ ' f <(e 



£m *m 



'iSr« ■'«§£* -*£$* 









JS*.^ 4. :,y .*' ' 



<• F 3 ff ^Sf df 





jbh ^i^nrii n»>i ^irrs. ii»\ ^gf» ■ ^i i — ■— ~-^-n a ianr — *-- ■^-^tj-i ti> — bb gayi ■ iswra^ -i- — — ^ ^>. r, «^ -» ■ < , .•»■* — *r , tfc^ a — ■* — tmmmm 

MOUNTAIN VIEW V1NEYARD(40 ACRES}OF W.MORE YOUNG. SCANDINAVIAN COLONY. FRESNO CO. 



— ^- — "- ■■.— ■■.- •*-■-. -■»■■■■■ L 



— ' — «"-«- 



^5»..:' 



:-*-; 



„ .^KEai-iiv'^ 










i . -^ 



4 '\:3NM 






: #..r 






•"sir ■ $ 



m . ^ 



■~$\ 










THE MARKS ZO ACRE FARM, CENTRAL CALIFORNIA COLONY. FRESNO CO. CAL. 

' ELLIOTT LITH. ♦»! MONTSr. 



FMEgN© g&WWWT, GALIFOMNMA. 



31 



It is probable that the matter will come before the 
next legislature. The inhabitants are associated for 
school purposes and for elections. A large gas work 
to supply the town with gas has recently been estab- 
lished by Alexander Badlam and others of San Fran- 
cisco. There are three newspapers published — one 
daily and two weekly. 



A DESERT RECLAIMED. 



[From the San Francisco Daily Chronicle, August 22, 1882.J 



WHAT IRRIGATION IS DOING FOR FRESNO COUNTY — 
AMAZING GROWTH OF TREES AND VINES — FRUIT- 
FUL COLONIES SPRINGING UP IN WASTE PLACES — 
MAMMOTH TREES. 



Fresno City (Cal.) August 17. 1881. 
"I used to herd sheep all over this valley, and 
7 years ago there wasn't as much as a riding switch 
to be found in a day's ride. Fact is, it was all 
desert. " v The grizzled old rancher who made the fore- 
going remark yesterday told the truth. Even yet 
there are stretches of country many miles in extent, 
where not a green spear grows — spots of gray earth, 
sparsely covered by dry grass and short brush, that 
look as if they were destined never to yield one grain 
of sustenance to man or beast. Wherever water has 
not been forced to flow, the desert presents the same 
forbidding appearance. There is no variety of colors; 
everything is gray, with occasionally a slight tinge of 
brown. Little birds, known as ' 'chippies, " ground squir- 
rels of industrious habits, and sprightly jack -rabbits 
abound; but they so closely resemble the soil and vegeta- 
tion in hue that their presence would remain unknown 
if they did not fly at man's approach. Herds of ante- 
lope may often be observed, not because their bodies 
are bright spots in the landscape, but because they are 
always at a considerable distance, and the curvature 
of the earth throws their slender forms full against 
the horizon. The roads in many localities lie beneath 

ind or dust; and so the traveler, with his%prs^ 
vehicle, soon comes to look like the rest o^yia^ 

He has the gray soil thickly deposited on^us 
his hat, in his whiskers and eyes. 

THE MIRACLE WROUGHT BY IRRIGA- 
TION. 

But this monotony is broken when the vicinity of a 
canal is reached. Under the wonderful influence of 
water, all beautifnl forms of vegetation have sprung 
into luxuriant growth and bloom, just as if the desert 
had been treasuring for centuries earth's productive 
powers. One among the many spots converted to 
brightness by irrigation is the Eisen vineyard, about 
4 miles from Fresno. In order to reach this place, a 
stretch of desert must be traversed, and the change 
from sterility to fruitfulness is so sudden as to be al- 
most startling. It is like the quick shifting of scenes 
in a theater. One moment the visitor is moving along 
a dusty road among stunted brush, and the next in- 
stant, having passed the gateway, he is driving through 
a magnificent garden avenue. For half a mile the 
way is lined on either side by poplar, cypress, locust, 
fig, pomegranate, and oleander trees. They grow- 
densely, and their foliage almost obscures the view of 
vineyards stretching away from the margin of the 
drive to the boundaries of the farm. It is only 5 
years since the first little twigs were planted by the 
roadside. Now the poplars tower aloft as if they had 
been growing for a generation; the cypress trees look 





like patriarchs, and the oleanders, covered with white 
and pink and deep-red blossoms, are no longer tender 
shrubs, but are sturdy trunks. Bright green grasses 
spring from every bit of unbroken soil, and the wild 
willow crowds its way into every unwatched corner. 
Beyond the avenue, on both sides, are acres of vines, 
loaded with choice varieties of wine grapes, and at the 
edge of the vineyard is a collection of cool vaults and 
adobe buildings. It is here that one finds the crush- 
ers, the mighty tanks, the smaller barrels, the demi- 
johns, the murky goblets, the half -score of visiting 
tasters, and all the other appurtenances of a "winery" 
in successful operation. It is to these and to many 
other evidences of cultivation and civilization, that 
one is suddenly introduced from the desert plain. The 
contrast has not been too strongly drawn. Indeed, 
words cannot make it sufficiently apparent. But this 
case is only an illustration of what exists throughout 
the entire district. Wherever water flows there are 
oases firmly established in the midst of the parched 
lands surrounding. 

FEATURES OF FRESNO COUNTY. 

Fresno county claims to rank third in the State, so 
far as extent of country is concerned. It stretches 
from the Coast Range of mountains 200 miles east- 
ward, far into the Sierras, and from Merced and Mari- 
posa on the north, to the county of Tulare, south- 
ward. Its area is therefore considerably diversified. 
But the greater portion of the country is embraced in 
one level valley. The population is only about 10,- 
000 sonls, and the total value of property, as assessed, 
is nearly $9,000,000. The principal town is Fresno, 
the county seat, with 2,400 population, and as full of 
life and activity as the California town of the flush 
times. Immense interests in horticulture, land-selling 
and stock-raising combine to make it more prominent 
than many cities of thrice its size. It is evidently a 
place of comparative wealth and much enterprise. 
Eight years ago there was scarcely the commencement 
of a village. Now there are tasteful residences among 
luxuriant orchards, large hotels, many brick business 
blocks, a public school building which cost $15,000, 
and a Court House which might serve as a model for 
any young and growing county in the nation. This 
latter structure is elegant and imposing. It was com- 
pleted in 1878 at a cost of $56,000, exclusive of the 
surroundings. Fresno has 2 weekly newspapers — 
he Expositor, published by J. W. Ferguson; and the 
Republican, under the control of S. A. Miller. An 
astonishingly large number of saloons and lawyers 
flourish in the town, and ill-natured papers published 
in rival localities, have drawn unjust inferences from 
the coincidence. 

LARGE AND FERTILE TRACTS. 

Until the secret power of the soil was discovered by 
the means of irrigation, the entire region must have 
presented a disheartening aspect. Large tracts of 
land were used for grazing, but the greater part of the 
valley in summer time greatly resembled the dryest, 
sandiest, hottest portions of Sahara. Of the total 
area of the county, considerably more than 1,000,000 
acres are susceptible of irrigation, and much of the 
foot-hill region beyond the reach of practicable canals, 
is capable of yielding crops under a careful system of 
dry farming. The district of country lying between 
Kings and San Joaquin rivers, which has Fresno for 
its actual center, comprises at least 500,000 acres of 
good lands. Most of this is held in large tracts, but 
the system of colonizing, which has already proven 
very successful, will soon convert the sterile ranches 
into small farms, orchards and vineyards, making fair 
homes and producing subsistence and wealth for thou- 
sands of families. Nothing can be done with these 






FRESNO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA 



arid fields except by irrigation. In view of this fact, 
Kings river has been tapped by several canals at con- 
venient points, and already sufficient water can be 
1 nought down to render fertile twice the area now un- 
der cultivation. Kings river has been the easier of 
access, but the San Joaquin is also being required to 
yield tribute. Many of the projects are the results of 
-wonderful skill in surveying and canal-building. To 
a man standing in the center of a plain, it seems that 
the land on all sides rises away from him toward the 
horizon; therefore the water frequently has the ap- 
pearance of running up hill. But, though many feats 
have been accomplished, by the reclaimers of the des- 
ert, the law of gravitation has not yet been overcome. 

THE SYSTEM OF COLONIZATION. 

As previously stated, the system of colonies has 
proven very successful. Within a few miles of Fresno 
are numerous districts, each as clearly defined as 
states on a map, for colonies lie side by side with un- 
touched tracts. Among the colonies are the Fresno, 
lying nearest to and nearly surrounding the town; 
Washington, with many of the best orchards and a 
fine co-operative cheese factory; Central and Califor- 
nia, each with a diversity of interests; Nevada, owned 
in small lots of 20 acres by miners in Virginia City, 
who are paying for homes and vineyards instead 
of squandering their wages on wild-cat stocks; the 
Scandinavian, occupied exclusively by thrifty people 
from over the sea; Easterby rancho, and numerous 
others. In addition, there are the places of M. Hart, 
M. Theo. Kearney and Robert Barton, all of San 
Francisco. The latter gentleman, who was once a 
stock broker in the city, is settled here with his fam- 
ily. His land has been broken only 2 years, yet the 
vines and orchard trees are reaching up, and the 900 
acres of fruitful soil with handsome residence and 
other structures, look better than a Pine-street office, 
with a safe full of assessable stocks. Several tracts 
are yet to be divided into new colonies. 

A TOUR OF OBSERVATION. 

The excursion which Thomas E. Hughes, his sons, 
and other citizens of Fresno arranged, has brought 
many people to this new region on a tour of observa- 
tion. A few prominent residents of Sonoma county 
are here, and even they seem amazed at the rapid 
growth and great yield of the vineyards. All of the 
colonies are young, the eldest having been established 
but a little over 5 years. The advanced condition of 
orchards, however, would lead the visitor to think 
that not less than 10 or 12 years had been re- 
quired for such growth. It is marvelous to see peach 
trees with trunks 30 inches in circumference, that 
were planted in 1876; yet such trees are flourishing 
here. But the prospect must not be made too rosy. 
All of these wonderful evidences of progress exist, 
but if any man is inclined to believe the representa- 
tions of an over sanguine settler, let him look at the 
desert waste and realize what toil was necessary to 
win it to fertility. Fresno is a great county; it is 
destined to become greater. It will be the abiding 
place for tens of thousands of industrious people. 
But no poor man, lacking energy, can hope to make 
the sand give up a treasure. Water and cultivation 
will cause vegetable forms to grow almost like the 
fabled beanstalk, but without these requisites the 
earth will not produce even enough sage-brush to 
kindle a camp-fire. 

THE BIG TREES. 

The mountainous region of Fresno county. is the 
possessor of several groves of mammoth trees, rival- 
ing any others known in the State. Some of the hol- 
low trunks which have fallen are like tunneled hills. 



Recently, Judge Winchell, with a party of mounted 
men, rode into one of these reclining giants a distance 
of 72 feet, their way being lighted by the sunlight 
streaming through knot-holes as big as barn doors. 
The groves near the Mariposa line have already be- 
come famous, but those near the southern boundary of 
the county are in a region rarely visited. Yesterday 
William T. Cole, a well-known rancher, came into 
town and stated that he had discovered one more col- 
lection of forest monarchs in a canyon south of the 
Kings river grove, and that these trees were much 
larger than any others known on the coast. He took 
no measurement of the trunks, for the reason, as he 
states, that the one lariat in his possession was as use- 
less as would be a boy's top-string to encircle a circus 
tent. But these mammoth trees, like the forests of 
smaller timber, are at present far from the reach of 
the agricultural community. 

WHAT THE COUNTRY NEEDS. 

There. are many prosperous little towns in the county, 
and all are looking forward to somethiug great in 
the future. What every district asks for is popula- 
tion. The problem of irrigation has been solved. 
Water was the first need. That want supplied, the 
county is on the road to prosperity. An observant 
German vineyardist said to-day: " Yes, we must have 
canals and people; without the water we can't make 
pretty scenery, and without the folks there is no one 
to look at it when it is made." 



FRESNO. 



[From the Watsonville Pajaronian of Santa Cruz County.] 



ITS SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH AND PERMANENT PROS- 
PERITY. — THE BEST PLACE IN CALIFORNIA TO MAKE 
A HOME. — THE OPINION OF A DISINTERESTED JOUR- 
NALIST. 

Of all the towns in the State of the size of Watson- 
ville, Fresno is perhaps the liveliest. The colonies of 
that section have become famous, though they have 
been in existence but a few years. And to those col- 
onies is due the present prosperity of Fresno, and to 
them she must look for future support. For purposes 
of trade a town dependent upon agriculture and 
horticulture could not be more fortunate in its location. 
The town is surrounded by the circle of colonies and 
large vineyards of Eggers, Eisen and Barton. It is 
safe to say that Fresno is the central point of a colony 
system extending 10 miles from it each way. Though 
all this land may not be, at present, as highly culti- 
vated as the Central, Church and other tracts, yet, 
with the abundance of water running in the large 
canals, and the indomitable energy manifested by its 
people, it is only a question of a few years when 
Fresno will serenely rest as the center and supply 
depot of a thickly settled, prosperous system of col- 
onies. We were more surprised to see what had been 
done and was being done in and around Fresno than 
we were when we rirst viewed the beautiful orange 
groves of Riverside and the picturesque, thoroughly 
cultivated rolling lands of that aptly named spot. 
Pasadena. Money, muscle and brain have made and 
are making the Fresno plains a vast orchard and vine- 
yard section, and with the abundance of water that 
section has, and with its warm spring weather, its 
future as a county perfectly adapted to the successful 
cultivation of deciduous fruits and the vine is assured. 
Central, which is the oldest colony is a prosperous 
community. No matter what is cultivated, alfalfa, 



FMBSSf® ®WW¥Y„ QAMF&M 



-£3L*J 



33 




34 



FRESNO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, 



fruits or the vine, all look thrifty. There is a home- 
like air about every place. There is the appearance 
of prosperity born of energy and industry, and there 
is a secured look of permanency about the tracts. 
Though oranges can be grown there, no attention is 
paid to them. There is no semi-tropic business about 
Fresno. It is regular old-fashioned temperate zone 
farming. Every man you meet does not look as 
though he wanted to sell out. He is there to stay. 
In southern California "sell," " sell," is the cry, and 
they are the wisest who sell at the present fancy 
prices of that section. Fresno has more water than 
all the southern colonies combined. Its soil is good. 
It has less fog, and perhaps more fever and ague, 
though the old settlers deny this. Land, uncultivated, 
sells at from $40 to $50 per acre, or about one-third of 
the price asked in Ontario and other southern colonies. 
It is nearer San Francisco. It is on a through line of 
railroad. Cultivated land, with improvements, sells 
at from $100 to $400 per acre, and they are as profit- 
able as the $1,500 per acre lands of southern California. 
No colony section of the State is filling up more 
rapidly. New houses are going up in every direction. 
In the town dwelling houses and business blocks are 
being erected as rapidly as lumber and brick and 
labor can do it. The boom is on in that section, and 
it is a healthy boom. Our impressions of Fresno are 
most favorable. ' It may not be as attractive as River- 
side, but it has no hot-house air. It looks solid and 
healthy. If a man is determined to settle in a Cali- 
fornia colony, and has but moderate means, Fresno is 
the place for him. 



FRESNO, CALIFORNIA. 



.ITS GREAT ATTRACTIONS FOR HOME-SEEKERS. 

[Statement by Rev. Geo. E. Fkeeman, from the Fresno Daily 
Expositor, Feb. 28, 1883.] 

The following article has been prepared for us by 
the Rev. Geo. E. Freeman, pastor of the Congrega 
tional Church of this city, which he considers, and we 
believe to be a fair, reliable statement of facts as re- 
gards this region, and its recommendation to those 
seeking new homes, more favorable than the present 
ones: 

Multitudes, in various parts of our land are now 
asking, "Where can I go to find a home, better for 
health, comfort and prosperity than the present one ?" 
Many such inquiries have gone out into the great 
grain regions of the west and northwest, but, too 
often, only to find far more hardships, sufferings and 
failures than they fled from. The unwritten history of 
these regions, as we chance to know from personal ac- 
quaintance, in the rigors of the long winters, the 
frequent failure of crops, and in the burden of debts 
carried year after year, recorded, would fill many a 
sad and terrible page that few "would care to read. 

But, is there no place in this broad land of ours 
that may well attract such home-seekers, and fully 
realize to them all reasonable expectations? We 
believe there is, and that this location, about Fresno, 
California, whereupon we write, is the very place 
above all others. 

LOCATION. 

This city of Fresno is situated near the center of 
the county of the same name. This county lies directly 
across the celebrated San Joaquin (pronounced San 



Wau-keen) valley, in its central parts, and is con- 
siderably larger than the State of Massachusetts. Its 
eastern boundary comprises the lofty range of the 
Sierra Nevada mountains, in their most elevated sec- 
tions, capped with several peaks from 14,000 to 15,000 
feet high, and seamed by valleys and gorges the grand- 
est the eye ever looked upon. In this range, and close 
by, lies the far-famed Yo Semite valley. No grander 
region than this can be found on this continent, if in 
the world, for the explorer's foot to tread, or the 
artist's eye to scan. A large number of living glaciers 
has been discovered in the mountain gorges, almost 
within sight of this city. The west boundary of the 
county is formed of the Coast Range of mountains, 
noted for their picturesque beauty. The center and 
agricultural part of the county ig made up of some 
2,000,000 acres of level valley lands, of sandy loam, 
at present destitute of all grass or trees, but of some 
worth for grazing lands, and giving fair crops of 
wheat in especially wet seasons. 

CLIMATE. 

The climate here is the most superior. The yearly 
rainfall is so small as to be hardly taken into account. 
During many years, at least, the rainy, or even cloudy 
days, are thus few and far between, and in fact, do 
not exist from early spring until late fall. The clear, 
bright, intense sunshine is the general rule. The 
lowest range of the temperature will scarcely touch 20 
degrees in the most extreme cases, and seldom goes be- 
low 35 or 40 degrees. This winter snow fell once to 
the depth of about an inch, — the first seen for 17 
years — but vanished in an hour or two. In mid sum- 
mer the heat for awhile, especially at mid day, be- 
comes excessive, sometimes rising to from 100 to 110 
degrees, and this for several days at a time. But 
even at this time the nights are cool and enjoyable for 
sleep; while, in the interval of months between the 
coldest and the hottest weather, the climate is all that 
the most fastidious can demand. This extreme heat 
is quite as endurable as that of the East. Farmers 
work freely in the hottest sun, and a case of sunstroke 
is almost unknown. Then the grand old mountains 
within clear view, afford capital retreats for comfort 
and recuperation from any passing torrid wave. 

HEALTH. 

This question of health is a vital one with man}", 
and how does this region answer this ? Taken in all 
its relations, we may declare it, without hesitation, to 
be one of the most health-imparting climates in the 
world. It is true, it has no magic power to restore 
every broken-down constitution, enervated by sin and 
suffering until it has become a mere wreck. We do 
not advise confirmed consumptives to come here for a 
cure. Every such case, here, as in all other places, 
must make an experiment of its own, which may 
bring relief, and which may hasten death, as any 
change to such too often does. Many such indeed 
have come to this region and been relieved, even re- 
stored; while others have wholly failed of any bene- 
fit. But for many diseases, this climate has the most 
efficient healing power. It has such for all asthmatic. 
bronchial, or catarrhal affections: in most cases pro- 
ducing immediate relief, and ultimate cure. A gen- 
tleman coming here a few months ago, with dyspepsia 
of many years standing, so terrible as to make him 
pray for death, tells us that he can now eat regularly 
his square meal, and works every day out upon his 
farm, preparing the home where he anticipates many 
years of health, happiness and prosperity. Rheu- 
matic troubles here, as in all other climates, often hold 
their victims in the vise of pain and suffering, yet 
even many such sufferers can come here and very soon 



FBESN® C6UMXY. 0AMIFQMMTA, 



35 



forget that they ever knew such an affliction. In the 
summer and autumn seasons, occasional cases of 
malarial fever occur, but as yet these are not nearly as 
common as have been experienced in the northwestern 
States and Territories during ths past few years. Life 
here is very largely an outdoor life. Houses are built 
for the freest circulation of air. There are but few 
days of the year wherein the common invalid cannot 
go forth and spend several hours in the bright sun, 
riding or walking, breathing in the life-giving air. 
Here at mid-winter, we are sitting in our room with- 
out a fire, and this in clear view of the grand peaks of 
the Sierras, glistening white in their mantles of deep 
snow, and we can go out and drive many miles without 
the protection of any overcoat. Still, at this time of 
year, the chill of the air often becomes such that 
thick, warm clothing is desirable, and the comforts of 
a fire upon the hearth, morning and evening, afford a 
luxury. Perhaps the most unpleasant feature of the 
climate, especially to invalids, is found in the severe 
winds that now and then course the length of this val- 
ley, often raising clouds of sand, not at all pleasant to 
confront, and yet these are but zephyrs compared with 
many of the blizzards and cyclones of the west and 
northwest. To come to this place directly from the 
rigors and storms of an eastern winter — especially 
such as the present — is a happy change that must be 
realized to be fully understood. We think it would 
be hard to find a man, outside of a lunatic asylum, 
who would desire to make the change back again. We 
have not yet seen such an one. 

INDUSTRIES. 

But it is the marvelous resources of this region for 
agriculture that is now giving it its great renown, and 
promises to make it in the near future little short of 
an earthly paradise, — one of the most attractive, de- 
sirable, and prosperous regions in our land. Originally 
this vast valley is little other than a sandy, ai'id 
desert. But it is found that flooding with water 
makes it the most productive of any known lands. 
It proves itself to be especially adapted to grape 
culture. This neighborhood of Fresno is so situated 
between two rivers on either border, that almost its 
entire surface may be irrigated by ditches leading 
from these rivers in various directions; which rivers, 
being fed from the mountain snows, give an inex- 
haustible supply of water the year round. • A large 
number of such ditches have already been opened at 
a cost of some $2,000,000 or $3,000,000, and these 
waters are now found circulating freely over many 
thousands of acres *of land, which will be increased 
to many more thousands within a year or two. It has 
now been but 7 or 8 years since this irrigating 
process was begun, and then, as a blind ex- 
periment; but, already, the results have been most 
marvelous and satisfactory. At once the great ex- 
periment of grape and fruit culture was begun. 
Several colonies were formed, came in, and bought 
lands, and proceeded to establish their new homes. 
One result of this experiment has been the planting of 
this prosperous city of Fresno, which a dozen years 
ago was only a barren desert, but now is a pleasant 
city of marvelous growth and intense life. Within 
the past year it has doubled its population, and now 
comprises a city of about 3,000 population; a large 
proportion of which are as intelligent, refined, up- 
right and desirable a class of citizens as can be found 
in any city of like size on this coast. Everything is 
indeed new and in the formation process. Gigantic 
brick structures are on all sides in process of erection 
for hotels, stores and banks ; while homes are rising 
up as if by magic upon the plain on every side. 
Good schools are in operation; several churches have 
completed their organizations, and are going forward 



in their good work; and all the needed appliances 
are being set in operation for the very best intellectual, 
social and religious culture of a city, that, in the 
near future, is to be one of the most populous and 
prosperous cities of this great State. But it is in the 
country surrounding the city that the most significant 
processes are in operation, and the most marvelous 
resources of the region revealed. Following the in- 
troduction of water upon the thousands of acres in 
this vicinity, they have been cut up into small farms 
of 20, 40, or 80 acres, and sold to the incqniing set- 
tlers who have at once proceeded to level their 
lands and sow their alfalfa for hay, or set them out 
to vines and fruit trees. Experiment has shown 
that these lands, and this climate, are wonderfully 
adapted to the culture of the grape, and also of 
almost all kinds of fruits, especially those of a 
semi-tropical nature. The yearly growth of vines 
and trees is of the most marvelous kind, securing re- 
sults in 3 or 4 years that could not be secured 
in twice or 3 times that period in any other land. 
Thus, last year, vineyards and orchards but 5 years 
old, produced large remunerative crops; even rising 
as high as $200 or $300 an acre. One gentleman 
assures us that less than 2 acres of peach trees 6 
years old repaid him $500. Others have done even 
better. A drive over the various outlying colonies 
reveals a scene of industry and thrift, beauty and 
prosperity, scarcely to be credited except by seeing. 
Homes are decorated by ornamental trees that seem to 
be a score rather than a half-dozen years old. Most 
of the farms are of the 20 or 40-acre size — prepar- 
ing at once for a very dense population ; and it has 
already been found that a 20-acre farm is fully 
sufficient for an ordinary family to make a good liv- 
ing, even to acquire wealth. The fruits in most gen- 
eral culture and found to be the most remunerative, 
are the peach, plum, pear, apricot, nectarine and fig, 
with many smaller kinds, that come in to fill up 
vacancies. These all mature of the most superior 
quality, and so early as to command a ready and re- 
munerative market; while, by present processes of 
drying and canning, the markets of the world are 
thrown open to the producers. In regard to all these 
fruits, the demands are far beyond the supply, and 
are likely to be for many years. The citrus fruits, 
such as oranges and lemons, can be raised here, but as 
yet, the young trees need so much protection froni the 
winds of the winter that their culture has not become 
general, as a reliable industry. 

The leading industry, as yet, and probably will be 
for many years, is grape culture. Vineyards are 
found in this locality, ranging all the way from 3 
and 5 up to 400 acres. The most of the grapes 
thus produced have so far been devoted to wine 
making, and for this end the yearly product from 
vines 4 years old and upward is very large, rang- 
ing from $150 to $250 an acre. But it has been 
found that this location is especially adapted to the 
raisin grape. The fruit for this purpose matures here 
to perfection, while the climate affords the best facili- 
ties for curing and preparing the crop for market. 
Thus a vast proportion of the vines now planted are 
for this purpose of raising production. Already 
several, working for this end, have secured vine- 
yards bearing large crops, and have cured and 
marketed yearly thousands of boxes of raisins, stand- 
ing in the market equal to the best foreign raisins, and 
commanding as high a price. This business is doubt- 
less to be, at least, one of the leading industries of 
the future, and one that is likely to pay the very 
best returns, while the work connected therewith is 
both light and pleasant, suited to women no less than 
to men. To the careful, painstaking lover of garden- 
ing and horticulture, the production of these fruits 
and grapes seems to be the enjoyment of a constant 



36 



FRESNO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA 



recreation, rather than the enduring of repulsive, 
wearing toil and drudgery. 

Hit t . it may be asked, " Are there no drawbacks, 
no dark side to this work of establishing a prosperous 
home in this vicinity ? " There are doubtless such, 
and we would not overlook them. As far as climate, 
growth and products are concerned, there seems as 
yet to be few offsets, whatever the future may re- 
veal. The process of irrigation insures a full, crop 
every year, and this, so far, has matured to the highest 
perfection, without any enemies to affect the results. 
Many might regard it a drawback that lands are held 
at seemingly such high prices — raw lands ranging from 
*20 to $(50 an acre. This seems to exclude the poor man 
at once from even the securing of a 20-acre farm. 
But this is not virtually so. The terms of payments 
for these lands are made so easy to actual settlers, 
that very many find it easy to meet the conditions, 
and secure their homesteads, with very little ready 
money to pay at the outset. A man informed us a 
few days ago that he commenced 7 years ago, 
worth 50 cents, and a family to care for. He 
worked and secured his 20 acres, then proceeded to 
level and plant them. This year he has found him- 
self in clear possession; has sold his farm for over 
83,000, and bought for cash 40 acres, which he is now 
planting, and upon which he is building a commodi- 
ous house, and all paid for. 

Another point that seems to present a drawback is 
the fact that it requires at least 3 or 4 years 
to mature vines and trees, so as to make any return 
for a living. This is indeed true, and it is very desir- 
able that those settling here should have some means 
of support during these first years, that will tide 
them over this, the really hard period of their en- 
terprise. If one can come here in possession of $1,000 
or $2,000 his course is all easy enough, and in a 
very few years he finds himself with an in- 
dependent income, and a homestead that originally 
cost him $50 an acre; has come up to the value of 
from $500 to $1,000 an acre. But it is not impossible 
to tide over even these first years without great 
hardship. If one has a trade, or is willing to work 
for others, plenty of employment and good wages 
can usually be secured. At the very outset several 
acres of alfalfa can be planted, which at once matures 
into a crop, for hay. Under irrigation, from 4 
to 5 crops of this grass can be harvested yearly, 
producing from 1 to 2 tons per acre, at each 
cutting, which now sells at from $10 to $15 a ton. 
Also domestic animals, a cow, some pigs, and poultry 
can be kept, which almost afford a living in them- 
selves. The favorable climate makes the cost of 
building very small indeed. The great struggle 
comes indeed in these few first years, which can be 
easily overcome with vigorous self-denying industry, 
or with 81,000 or $2,000. After this, according to 
present experiences, the profits become large, and one 
may be assured of an income, that with light and 
pleasant labor, will make an enduring prosperity, 
and give him a home as near an earthly paradise as 
can be found upon this continent. 

It is in the full faith that the statements herein 
made will bear the fullest test of experience, and that 
it may be doing a kindness to multitudes all over the 
country in thus informing them of this location, and 
giving them a chance to make fuller inquiry regarding 
it, that this article has been written. The writer has 
been within the past few years, permitted to explore 
very extensively the vast regions of the west and 
northwest, so extensively advertised and highly re- 
commended for homes of comfort and prosperity, but 
he can truly say that this is the first location he has 
ever found which he would recommend to the seekers 
of new homes, whether for purposes of health, com- 
fort or profit. All these are offered here upon the 



most favorable terms, and we have yet to find the 
seeker who feels that he has made a mistake in com- 
ing here and establishing his habitation. 

Geo. E. Freeman, 

Pastor of Congregational Church, Fresno, Cal. 
February, 1883. 



CLIMATE. 






For the benefit of our friends in the East, who may 
not know the fact, it may be said that the climate of 
California, and particularly that of Fresno county, is 
simply one of continual summer; the most delicate 
plants and flowers thrive and blossom out of doors 
every month in the year. For invalids there can be 
no better medicine than to be out of doors all day in 
that warm, dry atmosphere, superintending work in 
the vineyard and orchard. It is a perfect sanitarium 
for those troubled with diseases of the throat and 
lungs. 

What a wonderful contrast of climate is here pre- 
sented as compared with that of the States east of the 
Sierra Nevada, where for 6 months every year the 
entire country is locked up in ice and snow, entailing 
untold suffering, and causing the farmer and his stock 
to consume in idleness during the winter the fruits of 
his hard labor during the previous summer. As has 
been well said of the 

ATTRACTIONS OF CALIFORNIA CLIMATE 

the greatest inducement to settle in California is 
undoubtedly the comfort and salubrity of our climate. 
There is as good soil in other parts of the world, there 
are equally good markets and commercial facilities, 
and probably as high a standard of mental and social 
culture; but nowhere are all attractions combined un- 
der such a bright sun and kindly atmosphere as in Cal- 
ifornia. While our Eastern friends sit shivering in 
the bright light of their ample fires, or venture abroad 
muffled in furs or wraps, like the Laplanders or Esqui- 
maux; their stock housed in expensive buildings, their 
lakes and rivers a frozen mass, and their spirits broken 
by the dreariness of their winter skies; the Calif or - 
nian works daily in the bright sun, his cattle browsing 
on a thousand hills; he buys his ice if he needs any, 
and his heart is warmed and enlivened by the charm of 
his surroundings. In winter the grass grows, the 
birds sing, and the senses are delighted with all the 
outward manifestations generally associated with the 
spring-time of nature. The hills are green with the 
growing vegetation; the valleys are carpeted with 
countless flowers. The farmer exults in his growing 
crops, and the miner rejoices as lie wrests his golden 
treasures from the earth. California dons her emerald 
garments with the new year, and this is the time for 
incredulous strangers to visit us and be convinced. 

The following testimonial may be added under this 
head: 

THE HEALTHFULNESS OF FRESNO 
COUNTY. 

Residents of the plains of this county are not, and 
as far as we know, never have been, subject to '"chills."" 
or other malarial sickness. Except in a few low river 
bottoms, where the winds do not blow, and a few lo- 
calities affected by local causes of sickness, this entire 
county possesses the most healthful climate we have 
ever experienced. As evidence, we would refer to the 
fact of our almost absolute exemption from typhoid. 




i*** -" 4 - ** ****** *■< *r >* r r~ 

|^*i* p -:- :*--fe-.^> ::AfA-*' : . ..JMjS T 

P** , : * « " - 5 



V C <^: ■■r; # - -■■■■£: '** v '^ -■ ■ Vv - ■ :t ' -. - * *■■* * fr - <*» 




■^'>«. «•?:¥.•-"■ ^•-./' '>?■'.;; .* 



FMEMMQ) @®WmWY t €AMF@MWIA 



37 



intermittent, and other fevers, and the absence of 
diphtheria, scarlet fever, meningitis, etc. 

Lewis Leach, M. D. 

Chester Rowell, M. 1). 

M. Duncan, M. D. 

Otto Froelich, Cashier Bank of Fresno. 

H. S. Dixon, Attorney-at-Law. 

R. H. Fleming, Stable Keeper. 

Kutner & Goldstein, Merchants. 

A. S. Goldstein, Tinsmith. 

Silverman & Einstein, Merchants. 

R. H. Bramlet, Superintendent of Schools. 

W. D. Creed, District Attorney. 

Gillum Baley, County Judge. 

J. W. Ferguson, Editor Fresno Expositor. 

C. G. Sayle, Attorney-at-Law. 



NORDHOFF ON CALIFORNIA. 



[From " California; For Health, Pleasure and Residence;" by 
Charles Nordhoff. Harper & Brothers, New York, 1882.] 



SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FOR INVALIDS. 

A friend and neighbor of my own, consumptive for 
some years, and struggling for his life in a winter resi- 
dence for 2 years at Nice and Mentone, and during 
a third at Aiken, in South Carolina, came, one Oc- 
tober, to Southern California. 

He had been "losing ground," as he said, and, as 
his appearance showed, for 2 years, and the pre- 
vious summer, suffered so severely from night-sweats, 
sleeplessness, continual coughing, and lack of appe- 
tite, that it was doubtful whether he would live 
through the winter anywhere; and it was rather in 
desperation, than with much hope of a prolonged or 
comfortable life, that he made ready for the journey 
across the continent with his family. 

In January following I was one day standing in the 
doorway of a hotel at Los Angeles, when I saw a 
wagon drive up; the driver jumped out, held out his 
hand to me, and sung out, in a hearty voice: "How 
do you do ?" It was my consumptive friend — but a 
changed man. 

He had just driven 60 miles in 2 days, over a 
rough road, from San Bernardino — there was no rail- 
road in Southern California in those days. He walked 
with me several miles on the evening we met; he ate 
heartily and slept well, enjoyed his life, and coughed 
hardly at all. It was an amazing change to come 
about in 3 months, and in a man so ill as he had been. 

' ' I shall never be a sound man, of course, " he said 
to me, when I spent some days with him, later, at 
San Bernardino; "but this climate has added some 
years to my life; it has given me ease and comfort; 
and neither Nice, nor Mentone, nor Aiken are, in my 
opinion, to be compared with some parts of Southern 
California in point of climate for consumptives." 

This was nearly 10 years ago, and in those days 
there were few conveniences and no comforts for in- 
valids in Southern California. The climate, which 
enables consumptives to live out-of-doors almost the 
whole time, was pretty much the only advantage 
which offered itself in those days; and the poorly 
cooked food, the rough roads, the scanty accommoda- 
tions, and, above all, the lack of knowledge of what 
spots are most favorable to certain forms of disease — 
all these made the search for health, or for comfortable 
and enjoyable existence, at that time, a matter of 
some difficulty. 



Since then, all this has changed. Hotel accommoda- 
tions, at all the resorts for invalids, have greatly im- 
proved; and new points have been discovered by the 
care of competent and skillful physicians, and the ex- 
perience of numbers of persons in weak health, es- 
pecially consumptives; so that the seeker after health 
has now the opportunity to try a much larger variety 
of climate, and to get comfortable and even luxurious 
accommodations in places where, 10 years ago, he 
had to put up with hard fare and lodgings. More- 
over, the extension of the Southern Pacific Railroad 
system has brought the best health resorts within easy 
reach of invalids; and where a day's drive is necessary, 
that is an advantage rather than otherwise, because 
the seeker after health will get more of what he wants 
in the sunshine and open air than in houses or cars. 

There is no longer any doubt of the very great and 
often surprising beneficial influences upon diseases of 
the throat and lungs, of the dry and warm winter 
climate of Southern California. One may meet in 
every county of this part of the State people who, 
having tender throats or lungs, came hither from the 
East or Europe, and have made a complete recovery. 
I know myself, not dozens, but hundreds of instances, 
of men and women who would have perished in the 
more Eastern part of the United States, though for 
the greater part these were not what are called " con- 
firmed invalids " — they were men and women to whom 
our Eastern winters are seasons of discomfort and 
dread, of " staying in the house," coughing, depressed 
spirits, and doctor's bills — who, after a winter in Cali- 
fornia, found themselves capable of enduring fatigue 
and exposure with enjoyment, and who had lost that 
uncomfortable consciousness of "having a throat," 
which is so often the bane of life among us. That the 
climate, with proper care in living, will eradicate the 
tendency toward consumption and throat and lung 
troubles, there is now a very large amount of evidence 
to prove; as also that it will insure to the actual con- 
sumptive — to a person already stricken with this dis- 
ease — a much larger remainder of comfortable life, and 
of enjoyment, than is attainable elsewhere in this 
country. 

Experience has shown that it is not prudent for in- 
valids or health -seekers to settle directly near the sea- 
shore anywhere in California. 

The sea-air, there as here, is not auspicious to those 
with weak lungs or throats. But it is surprising how 
slight a removal from the sea makes all the change 
needed. 

THE AGRICULTURAL 'WEALTH OF CALI- 
FORNIA—THE GREAT VALLEYS. 

To an intelligent and observant traveler who has 
time, no part of the United States, and I am almost 
tempted to say no part of the world, offers so inter- 
esting and instructive a spectacle as he may find in 
these great valleys of California at this time. It is 
the spectacle of brains applied to farming in the best 
manner, and, at the same time, in ways so novel as 
cannot but delight the observer. 

Irrigation is turning the Sacramento and San Joa- 
quin valleys into a vast garden; and here has begun 
the first experiment in irrigation on a great scale which 
the Anglo-Saxon race has undertaken. It is already 
a great and remarkable success; and our American 
farmers, who have had to adapt themselves in so many 
curious ways to the exceptional seasons and climate 
of California, have now proved beyond peradventure 
that they, better than Hindoos, or Portuguese, or 
Chinese, or Spaniards, or Italians, can lead down the 
streams on hitherto sterile plains, and manage water 
intelligently and effectively, and, what is more, very 
profitably. 

When the first edition of this book was issued, in 



38 



FRESNO g@UMT¥» @AMF@MNIA, 



1871, there were 2 or 3 irrigating ditches in Los 
Angeles countj T , one in the San Joaquin valley, the 
Farmers' Ditch near Visalia, and none of any extent 
or importance elsewhere in the State. There was 
much talk of building canals and tanks on a great and 
costly scale; but it was still doubted whether farmers 
— Americans and English-speaking men — would adapt 



I find that in these 10 years whole colonies or settle- 
ments of English-speaking people have not only been 
collected, but have become permanently prosperous 
and independent, and many of them wealthy, by the 
judicious practice of irrigation. I find now miles of 
valuable orchards where 10 years ago cattle were 
roaming, and*cultivated fields where before were only 







HONEY FARM, FRESNO COUNTY. 



themselves to this novel species of culture. Return- 
ing to California after 10 years, I am amazed to find 
many thousands of acres of land under irrigation, 
planted to orchards, or vines, or growing alfalfa and 
grain, which land formerly was thought sterile and 
worthless. I find not hundreds but thousands of 
pleasant homesteads where before was absolute desert. 



sheep picking up a scanty living for a few months of 
the year; and I find that the question whether our 
race can practice irrigation of land, and do it well and 
profitably, is settled beyond a perad venture. 

Not only this, but another equally important ques- 
tion is settled — there is water enough for all uses; and 
that which seemed to me 10 years ago so desirable. 



FBB8N& ®@WMT¥„ CAMF&MM1A. 



39 



and yet so far off, is as good as done — the whole great 
valley system of California, with its healthful climate 
and its wonderfully fertile soil, is open to the profit- 
able and happy settlement of a farming population, so 
far as the overcoming of natural obstacles goes. * * 
In subsequent chapters I shall endeavor to show East- 
ern and European farmers and capitalists how profit- 
able and of what easy application this novel feature 
of agriculture is in the climate of California. It is 
evident that irrigation is only in its infancy here. * "* 
It is the great and uncommon variety of the agricul- 
tural products of California which surprises every one 
who examines the farming country. There is no 
region inhabited by English-speaking people, and hav- 
ing a well-settled government and a well-ordered so- 
ciety, in which this variety is anything like so great, 
or in which the arrangement of the seasons is so ad- 
vantageous to the cultivator. 

As I drove out from Los Angeles into the country 
on a January morning with a friend, we met a farmer 
coming into town with a market-wagon of produce. 

It was a cloudless, warm, sunny day, and the plain 
where we met him was covered with sheep suckling 
their lambs, for in January it is already lambing time 
here. The farmer's little girl sat on the seat with 
him, a chubby, blue-eyed little tot, with her sun-bon- 
net half hiding her curls, and a shawl, which her care- 
ful mother had wrapped about her shoulders, care- 
lessly flung aside. To me, fresh from the snowy 
plains and Sierra, and with the chill breath of winter 
still on me, this was a pleasing and novel sight; but 
the contents of the man's wagon were still more start- 
ling to my Northern eyes. He was carrying to mar- 
ket, oranges, pumpkins, a lamb, corn, green peas in 
the pod, lemons and strawberries. What a mixture 
of Northern and Southern products! what an odd and 
wonderful January gathering in a farmer's wagon! 

Around us the air was musical with the sweet sound 
of the baa-ing of young lambs. Surely there is no 
prettier or kindlier sight in the world than a great 
flock of peaceful, full-fed ewes, with their lambs, cov- 
ering a plain of soft green as far as the eye can reach. 
All the fence corners, where there were fences y were 
crowded with the castor-oil plant, which is here a 
perennial, 20 feet high — a weed whose brilliant 
crimson seed-pods shine like jewels in the sunlight. 
Below us, as we looked from a hill-top, lay the sub- 
urbs of Los Angeles, green with the deep green of 
orange groves, and golden to the nearer view with 
their abundant fruit. Twenty-one different kinds of 
flowers were blooming in the open air in a friend's 
garden in the towoi on that January day; among them 
the tuberose, the jasmine, and the fragrant stock or 
gillyflower, which has here a woody stalk, often 4 
inches in diameter, and is, of course, a perennial. 
The heliotrope is trained over piazzas to the height of 
20 fee*; and though the apple and pear orchards, 
as well as those of the almond and English walnut, 
will continue bare for some time, and the vineyards, 
just getting pruned, look dreary, the vegetable gar- 
dens are green as with us in June, and men and boys 
are gathering the orange crop. 

FRESNO. 

Plant growth is more rapid and luxuriant in Califor- 
nia than in any of our Eastern States. ' ' In Fresno 
county I saw, in 1881, grapevines, planted as rooted 
cuttings in the previous February, and receiving only 
irrigation and common field culture, which had made 
canes 7 feet long and as thick as my middle finger, and 
in many cases contained bunches of grapes. * * * 
They showed me apricot trees budded on almonds, one 
of which in 16 months from the budding bore 107 
pounds of ripe fruit, A farmer showed me 2 acres of 



raisin grapes which were planted as rooted ' cuttings ' 
in the spring of 1877, and from which he made, in the 
fall of 1878, only 18 months after planting, 140 boxes 
of raisins. In the following year his crop from these 
2 acres, then less than 3 years planted, was 503 boxes 
of raisins, which brought him over $600 clear money. 
In the fall of 1881 his net gain from the 2 acres was 
$727 ; and he and his son, a lad of 16, had done all the 
work on this vineyard, except 5 days of hired labor. 

"This man told me he had farmed in Iowa and 
Kansas before coming to California, and he had made 
more money from 2 acres of raisin grapes than off 160 
acres of corn land in Kansas or Iowa. 

" From 4-year-old raisin grapevines another farmer 
showed me that he had netted last year $100 clear 
money per acre; and from 6-year-old vines $200 per 
acre. 

" I could go on with such instances to the end of a 
long chapter; I give these only to show what the soil 
and climate do in California, with water and with 
careful, thorough culture. Without the last, nothing 
will or ought to do well." 



DESIRABLE COUNTRY FOR SETTLERS. 

Contrary to a too widely diffused belief, it is not a 
country in which men acquire wealth or competence 
suddenly or without hard work. What I like in Cali- 
fornia is, that with persistent labor on the land a man 
can there acquire means and a competency more 
quickly and more surely than elsewhere in this coun- 
try. Labor is not needless there — on the contrary, the 
California farmer, to be successful, must maintain a 
cleaner and neater cultivation than we often see in the 
East. But, doing this, the rewards for his toil are 
"much greater than anywhere in the East. And, more- 
over, the mild climate relieves him of a great deal of 
drudgery and painful toil of the Eastern farmer. 

Nowhere, either in America or Europe, have I seen 
such careful, thorough culture of the soil as in the 
orchards and vineyards of California. To the eye of a 
countryman no sight is lovelier than that of hundreds 
of acres all under the most perfect tilth — not a weed 
anywhere, not a furrow out of place, not a foot of soil 
neglected. That is what one sees in those parts of the 
State where men farm with brains, and where they 
know that such farming is sure to bring great results. 

California is, as I have said in previous chapteis, 
the land for small farmers. On 20 acres I have seen 
hundreds of men make a comfortable competence. 
Nowhere in the world is a "little land well tilled" so 
valuable and sufficient. 

For farmers of moderate means, say from $1,000 to 
$3,000, there are in all parts of the State profitable 
and pleasant locations in abundance; and, as previous 
chapters show in some detail, a great variety of special 
crops offer themselves to such men, who need not un- 
dertake wheat culture, and in my judgment, ought not 
to, because they can do better on small farms of 20 
to 40 acres with grapes or orchard fruits. I strongly 
advise new-comers with a small capital to content 
themselves with small farms ; by good cultivation men 
may make far more from 20 acres rightly planted, than 
from a square mile of wheat. 

Moreover, it cannot be too strongly stated that Cali- 
fornia is, for small farmers, still an open and almost 
unexplored land. The best lands are still cheap ; the 
best locations are by no means all taken up ; the most 
profitable cultures have just fairly begun ; and the 
farmer who settles himself out there in the next 10 
years has a better chance of success than those who 
settled 10 years ago, because he has the experience 
gained in the past 10 important years to go upon. 



40 



FRESNO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. 



LETTERS. 



LETTER FROM MRS. JEANNE C CARR 
OUR COLONIES. 



[From the Fresno Expositor, January 17, 1877.] 

[We append herewith copies of letters recently 
written by Mrs. Jeanne C. Carr, wife of Dr. E. S. 
Carr, Superintendent of Public Instruction in this 
State, and late Professor of Agriculture in the Uni- 
versity of California. The Doctor and his estimable 
lady lately visited this county in the interest of some 
friends in the East, who are desirous of coming to Cal- 
ifornia, and wished to learn which part of the State 
offered the greatest inducements. The letters pay a 
very high compliment to this county, coming from the 
high source they do. Such flattering testimonials can- 
not fail of doing great good to our county.] — Ed. Ex- 
positor. 

Sacramento, Cal., January 12, 1877. 

Mr. 21. Theo. Kearney: 

Dear Sir — You are quite welcome to make any use 
you see fit of the letter, which was written for plain 
people about plain facts, without intention of publica- 
tion. I think "Our Colonies" are the most hopeful 
thing in California — a solution of the problem how to 
keep our young people out of the overcrowded cities, 
and away from the unhealthy excitements of specula- 
tive life. Dr. Carr has often alluded to this in his 
lectures, and gave a chapter to " Agricultural Com- 
munities " in his book, published last year by Mr. 
Bancroft. If a new edition should be required, we 
shall put in full descriptions of all the California Col- 
onies, of which Fresno will undoubtedly take the 
lead. 

Yours, truly, 

Jeanne C. Carr. 



Sacramento, Cal., December 17, 1876. 

R. B. L. Westover, Esq., Castleton, Rutland County, 
Vermont: 

Dear Sir — As I promised to write you about our 
colonies as soon after my return as I should find an 
opportunity of visiting them, I take pleasure in giving 
you a few notes concerning the Central California col- 
ony, at Fresno. "Seeing is believing," you know. 
About 2 weeks since, Dr. Carr and myself paid a 
visit to this much-talked-of spot, and I can say con- 
fidently that there is no exaggeration in what is 
claimed for it. The land is of the very best quality, 
Mater abundant and unfailing, the climate all that 
could be desired, communication with markets easy, 
and a better class of inhabitants cannot be gathered 
in any New England town. 

We examined and inquired into everything as 
thoroughly as if we were going to move there this 
season. We have known Mr. Marks, the superin- 
tendent — long a successful teacher in San Francisco — 
ever since we came to the coast. Taking the easy 
terms into consideration, I do not think there is an- 
other such chance offered for securing pleasant homes 
in California. Tell any of our Castleton friends that 
the Central California colony is the place for what Dr. 
Carr calls "intensive" agriculture — "a little farm 
well tilled." As much can be raised on 20 acres as 
on 200 acres with you. Alfalfa is a sure crop, and the 
raisin culture promises to be an industry of a perma- 
nant and remunerative character. One thousand 
dollars for 20 acres, payable on the installment 



plan, secures a home where oranges, walnuts, 
almonds, raisins, grapes of all kinds, cherries, 
pears, plums, nectarines, the small fruits, poultry, 
fish, etc., may be had for less labor, and with fewer 
privations, than elsewhere within our knowledge. 
Schools already provided for, and a new Grange hall 
has just been built, which serves as an assembly 
room. I think, knowing what I do of Vermont and 
California, I should not hesitate to make the change, 
even at considerable sacrifice. With regards to your 
family, 

Yours, truly, 

Jeanne C. Carr. 



LETTER FROM DR. OLIVER HOLDEN, 

President of the Cal. Kaiein and Fruit Co. 



Office of the Cal. Raisin and Fruit Company, ~\ 
San Francisco, Oct. 27, 1879. J 

21. Theo. Kearney, Esq.: 

Dear Sir — In reference to the farming lands at 
Fresno, for persons of moderate means who wish to 
acquire pleasant homes, I would say, there are several 
reasons why a home at that point is desirable. In the 
first place, it is of vital importance that a healthy 
locality should be selected; second, cheap and pro- 
ductive lands are desirable; third, plenty of water 
for irrigation is essential to successful farming, but 
more especially in the cultivation of trees and vines ; 
fourth, the season must be long, warm and free from 
fogs to obtain the best results ; fifth, easy access to a 
railroad, as cheap transportation is of great importance 
to every farmer ; sixth, good society, accessible 
schools and churches ; these and many other advan- 
tages possessed by Fresno county, which I might name 
were it necessary, are good and sufficient reasons why 
that county is more desirable for a home than most 
any other place in this State with which I am ac- 
quainted. Nearly all the lands around the town of 
Fresno are peculiarly adapted to the cultivation of 
almost any kind of fruit, hut more especially the 
raisin and wine grapes. The raisin grape here de- 
velopes to a remarkable degree, possessing, as I am 
informed, from 5 to 7 per cent, more saccharine matter 
than is developed in any other locality in California. 
This fact alone is very important to all who contem- 
plate embarking in raisin making. All the different 
varieties of wine grapes grow to great perfection and 
make as fine flavored wine as is produced in France or 
elsewhere, except the choicest Chateau wines. A very 
large winery owned by-the Eisen Brothers is now in 
full and successful operation turning out choice wines 
and brandies. Almost every variety of vegetation 
grows to perfection in this soil when water to irrigate 
the land is properly used. Another and important 
reason, in addition to the above, is that an inexhaust- 
ible supply of water for irrigation, conducted by the 
numerous canals leading into Fresno, is assured, from 
Kings river, as well as from the San Joaquin river. 
I have examined many sections in our State with the 
special object in view of locating at some desirable 
point where semi-tropical and other fruits could be 
most successfully grown, and after careful research I 
have come to the conclusion that Fresno offers better 
inducements to small farmers and those seeking pleas- 
ant homes, and where the cultivation of fruits may be 
profitably carried on, than almost any other spot in 
California. In proof of this opinion I could cite many 
instances of those who are now successfully conduct- 
ing both small and large farms, growing fruits, wine 
and raisin-making, etc.; notable among the number 
are Prof. \Y. A. Sanders. Messrs. Eisen Brothers. Miss 



FMSSM& CO&WTT. CA&IF&MNIJL* 



41 



M. F. Austin, Mrs. J. A. F. Smith, Mr. Jas. McNeil, 
Messrs. Geo. H. Eggers & Co., Mr. S. A. Miller, Mr. 
A. F. Covell, Mr. Kay White, and others, all owners 
and successful cultivators of the soil. With the 
abundant facilities for irrigation, all kinds of grain 
and other crops can be grown every year, without fear 
of dry seasons and consequent failure of crops. With 
all these advantages what more can be desired to make 
a home pleasant and profitable ? 
Yours truly, 

Oliver Holden. 



LETTER FROM W. B. WEST, Esq. 



Mr. West is a practical orchardist and vineyardist 

of many years' experience in the San Joaquin valley, 

and has recently returned from an extended visit to 

France, Germany and Spain; his object being the 

study of the wine and raisin interests of those 

countries. 

Stockton, Cal., October 21, 1879. 

M. Theo. Kearney, Esq.: 

Dear Sir — In answer to your request that I give my 
opinion of the land known as the Easterby Rancho 
and its surroundings, as to its adaptability for the 
culture of fruits, and particularly for grapes, I will 
say that I have known the locality many years, and 
although I have never been upon the ranch, I have 
always believed that neighborhood to be one of the 
most promising and desirable sections of the State for 
the cultivation of fruit, and especially for the grape. 
The advantages for irrigation are unsurpassed, and I 
hold that no land will ultimately be of so much 
value as that which can be irrigated. 

You have in that abundant supply of water a con- 
stant source of fertilization, and also the greatest 
check that is known to the ravages of the phylloxera. 
The cultivation of the grape for wine is now no ex- 
periment. Mr. Eisen, your neighbor, has shown that 
good white and red wine can be successfully made. 
I was shown wine at his cellars, the product of his 
vineyard, that will compare favorably with almost any 
produced in this State. I must confess that I was 
surprised at its merit. 

The Muscatella grape shows a wonderful fecundity. 
Vines that had only attained the age of 3 years were 
producing an abundant crop of sweet and delicious 
grapes. There is no doubt about the future of the 
raisin culture, when the cultivators have acquired 
more experience in curing and packing. 

The peach, apricot and plum trees are healthy and 
productive. I see no reason why they cannot be made 
profitable to the canners or as a dried product. All 
these branches of industry can be extended almost in- 
definitely ; there is no limit to the amount of good 
white and red wine that can find a market on this 
coast and in the Eastern States. We have not yet 
stopped the importation of foreign raisins. We still 
receive invoices of Eastern canned peaches. Our can- 
ned apricots find ready sale in the European markets. 
Our prunes are gaining favor both at home and in the 
East, and when our orchardists conclude to give up 
their American modes of curing them and adopt the 
old tried French methods, they will find that instead 
of receiving the lowest price in the market they can 
command as high a rate as the best French prunes. 

The question of water supply has been raised and 
some people doubt the ability of the river to supply 
the wants of so large an area of land as has been seg- 
regated for irrigation. I believe that by a judicious 
application of water in the winter or spring — which 
is the only time that it should be used upon grape- 



vines — summer irrigation can be dispensed with, or 
applied to other crops which need it at that time. 

In conclusion, allow me to say that if I were a young 
man, or if there was a necessity for me to gain my 
living, I know of no place where there are better facil- 
ities for acquiring a competency than on the irrigated 
lands of Fresno county. 

Yours, truly, 

W. B. West. 



LETTER FROM R. B. BLOWERS, Esq. 



Mr. Blowers has been engaged for years past in the 
growth and curing of raisins, and is now producing a 
quality of raisins of which California may well be 
proud. They command a higher price and readier 
sale than any other brand, foreign or domestic, offered 
in this market, and received the highest award and a 
medal at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia for 
the best'raisins. 

Woodland, Yolo Co., Cal., February 17, 1877. 
M. Theo. Kearney, Esq.: 

Dear Sir — Some weeks ago I paid a visit to the Cen- 
tral California colony at Fresno. I was much pleased 
with the appearance of the soil, and its evident adapt- 
ability to the growth of fruit of almost every variety, 
For raisin culture you have many advantages — dry, 
warm climate, long season, enabling the vines to grow 
and perfectly ripen the second crop, no danger from 
mildew, plenty of water for irrigation, which is ample 
protection against that destroyer of vineyards, the 
phylloxera, and freedom from rain in the fall, enabling 
the grower to make the first crop of raisins without 
danger of injury, and only needing an evaporator for 
finishing the second crop. I think this generation 
will pass away before the markets of the world are 
overstocked with good raisins. I hope the colonists 
will have the foresight to leave fence-building to the 
stock-growing communities, except a wire-fence around 
a pasture lot. Nothing is so unproductive as a fence. 
It would detract much from the beauty of the colony 
(and it will be a beautiful place) to have a multitude of 
fences to obstruct the vision. I would be pleased to 
meet Mr. Marks and yourself at Woodland, at any 
time. 

I am yours truly, 

R. B. Blowers. 



PRICE FOR GRAPES. 



CONTRACTS FOR CROP FOR FIVE YEARS AT TWENTY-FIVE 
DOLLARS PER TON. 



The following letter explains itself : 

Eisen Vineyard, Fresno Co., Nov. 30, 1879. 

M. Theo. Kearney, Esq.: 

Dear Sir — In response to your inquiry I have here- 
by the pleasure to state that I think your section of 
land, formerly the Easterby Rancho, very suitable for 
the cultivation of grapes, some part of it very su- 
perior, being level and of a rich soil, sub-irrigated 
now to a great extent, which will save a great deal of 
labor and expense to the future occupant. 

From settlers of the county who will cultivate the 
wine grape, I will buy their products for the next 5 
years at $25 per ton, provided they plant, suitable 



42 



FRESNO COUNTY,. OAJLITOMNIA, 



kinds of vines. The cultivation of grapes in this 
county, where water for irrigating purposes can be 
obtained, will eventually make it one of the richest 
portions of California. 

Yours, very truly, 

Francis T. Eisen. 



Office of the ) 

Fresno Canal and Irrigation Co. > 

Fresno, Cal., April 16, 1883. ) 

M. Theo. Kearney: 

Dear Sir — I have examined the tract of land west of 
Fresno owned by you, and find that it is exceptionally 
level; and that it can all be readily irrigated by 
branches from the canals of this company. 
Yours truly, 

Geo. Manuel, C. E. 
Engineer F. Canal and I. Co. 



Office of the Fresno County Bank, ) 
John W. Hinds, President. 

Fresno, Cal., March 6, 1883. ) 

M. Theo. Kearney, Esq.: 

Dear Sir — In reply to your request for my opinion 
of the seven thousand acre tract of land in the north- 
west portion of Towsnhip 14, range 19, near the town 
of Fresno, I would say that I have, in a general way, 
made a personal examination of the land, and I am 
free to say, that in my judgment it is an exceptionally 
valuable piece of property. 

The soil is exceedingly uniform in character, of a 
dark-brown alluvium, which, being mixed with a mod- 
erate quantity of sand, can easily be cultivated, is 
particularly adapted to the use of water for irrigation, 
and with irrigation will undoubtedly prove very pro- 
ductive. This class of soil, while being well adapted 
to the growth of grain, vegetables and grass crops, I 
consider pre-eminently adapted to the production of 
the finest grades of raisin and wine grapes, and of 
apricots, nectarines, peaches, pears, plums and other 
fruits. 

There are one or two other features of this tract 
which are particularly noticeable. One is the remark- 
ably level character of the land, obviating almost en- 
tirely any expense for leveling the land for irrigation, 
and another feature is the entire absence of trees, 
undergrowth or stones. ISTo expense whatever will be 
necessary in preparing the land for plowing, and in my 
examination of this property I did not see 1 acre of 
waste land in the entire tract. From my experience 
during the past year as a stockholder and director in 
the Fresno Fruit Packing Company, and from my 
knowledge of the climate of this valley, I am satisfied 
that such soil as this tract contains will, with irriga- 
tion and proper cultivation, produce fruit and grapes 
of as fine flavor, and in as great abundance, as any 
other portion of California with which I am acquainted. 
Yours truly, 

John W. Hinds. 



! 



Office of 
The Farmers' Bank of Fresno, 

W. W. Phillips, Cashier. ) 

Fresno, March 6, 1883. 
M. Theo. Kearney, Esq. : 

Dear Sir — I have recently, in company with Mr. 
Manuel, the engineer of the Fresno Canal and Irriga- 
tion Company, traveled over your large tract of land, 
situated 4 miles west of our town. I have found it 
particularly level, a splendid quality of soil, and think 



it especially adapted to the growing of grapes and 
fruits of all kinds. 

Judging from the marked success of grape-growers 
and colonists generally about the town of Fresno, I 
think this fine body of land can be made very profit- 
able in planting in orchards, vineyards, etc. 

I wish you every success in your proposed enter- 
prise in bringing this tract of land under cultivation. 
Yours very truly, 

W. W. Phillips. 



THE PHYLLOXERA IN CALIFORNIA. 



CAN IT BE DESTROYED ? ABUNDANT TESTIMONY THAT IT 
CAN WHERE WATER IS USED FOR FLOODING. 



The following warning taken from the Pacific Rural 
Press, of August 23, 1879, shows truly the situation in 
the northern part of this State: "In the face of the 
ruin wrought by the phylloxera in France, it has often 
been urged that our grape growers should do some- 
thing to guard against its spread in this State. Such 
certainly would seem to be the dictates of wisdom. It 
is true that the progress of the insect in this State has 
been much slower than in France; but still its work 
can be found here, and it seems at any time to be liable 
to take on the features of a scourge. It seems to us 
that the grape-growers, on their own account, should 
undertake a sharp investigation of the evil, or should 
urge the State to give this protection to their industry. 
We hope that there may be some natural barriers to 
the spread of the insect in this State, but in view of its 
progress abroad, this seems to be hoping against hope. 
Certainly the work of the insect in this State should be 
ascertained, clearly defined, and, if possible, restricted 
to vineyards now known to be infested, or stamped out 
entirely. 

Prof. W. A. Sanders, of Kingsburg, Fresno Co. . 
says: "Second — The phylloxera, which in time will 
destroy hill-land vineyards in all parts of the State. 
will never do harm here. The remedy is to flood the 
ground; the perfectly level surface of the colony lands, 
their abundance of water and facilities for flooding, 
insure them against this pest. They will have the 
best vineyards in the world when the phylloxera shall 
have put a stop to grape-raising in less favorable 
localities." 

European Testimony to California Farmer of 
January 9, 1880. — Paris, January 1, 1880: "M. Louis 
Faucoirs plan for destroying the pl^dloxera by sub- 
mersion, is to flood the vines during the repose of the 
sap, that is to say, after the vintage; In the case of 
strong clays the submersion ought to endure 55 con- 
secutive days; for more friable soils, Go days. The 
sheet of water ought to vary from 6 to 9 inches in 
depth, and by forcing the oxygen out of the water 
suffocates the bug most effectually. At the Xational 
Agricultural School, he has fairly experimented the 
submersion plan, and his system proved a success. 
* * * In testimony of his successful efforts against 
the scourge, M. Faucon has lately been entertained at 
a banquet, and elected President of a society to pro- 
mote the submersion process." 

Prof. E. \V. Hilgard, of the University of California. 
says: "The remedy in France, for the phylloxera, is 
either by submerging the vines, or by the use of a 
highly offensive and volatile liquid manufactured from 
sulphur and charcoal." Again, he says: ''Whosoever 
establishes new vineyards in California now, should 
protect himself either by provision for submergence. 
or by grafting on phylloxera — proof stocks. " 



FRESNQ CQUNTY,, CALIFORNIA, 



43 



The Fresno Republican says: "As flooding with 
water is the only practicable remedy yet discovered, 
nothing more ought to be necessary to convince the 
world of the great value of our irrigated lands." 

R. B. Blowers, Esq., of Woodland, the celebrated 
raisin vineyardist, says: "For raisin culture you have 
in Fresno many advantages; dry, warm climate, long 
season, enabling the vines to grow and perfectly ripen 
the second crop, no danger from mildew, plenty of 
water for irrigation, which is ample protection against 
that destroyer of vineyards, the phylloxera." 

TV. B. West, Esq. , of Stockton, the well known 
orchardist and vineyardist, says: "I have always be- 
lieved Fresno to be one of the most promising and de- 
sirable sections of the State for the cultivation of fruit, 
and especially for 
the grape. The ad- 
vantages for irriga- 
tion are unsurpass- 
ed, and I hold that 
no land will ulti- 
mately be of so much 
value as that which 
can be irrigated. 

' ' You have in that 
abundant supply of 
wafer a constant 
source oj fertiliza- 
tion, and also the 
greatest check that 
is known to the rava- 
ges of the phylloxera. 
The cultivation of 
the grape for wine 
is now no experi- 
ment. Mr. Eisen, 
your neighbor, has 
shown that good 
white and red wine 
can be successfully 
made. I was shown 
wine at his cellars, 
the product of his 
vineyard, that will 
compare favorably 
with almost any 
produced in this 
State. I must con- 
fess that I was sur- 
prised at its merit." 

Rev. J. J. Bleas- 
dale, D.D., of Mel- 
bourne, a very high 
authority on wines, 
says of the Eisen 
vineyard , Fresno : 
' 'The vineyard com- 
prises 120 acres in 
full bearing, and 40 
more planted this 

year and last. I have known a mere rootless cutting 
produce a small bunch of grapes the autumn of the 
year in which it was planted, a matter of curiosity; 
but where heat and water abound it is the rule, rather 
than the exception, that cuttings bear a few bunches 
the first year of planting. Rooted vines are not used 
in the Eisen vineyard; only cuttings 30 inches long 
are put in with a crowbar, the ground having been 
merely leveled and plowed, and in no instance 
trenched. 

' ' The varieties cultivated are Frahisagos, Muscatel 
of Alexandria, the Gordo Blanco variety, Malaga, Reis- 
ling, Chasselas, White Syrian, for white wines ; and 
Red Malvoisie, Zinfandel, Tenturier, Hamburg and 




SENTINEL ROCK, 4,500 FEET HIGH— YO SEMITE VALLEY 



Rose of Peru, for red wines. The oldest vines were 
planted in ] 874 and 1875. * * * This large vine- 
yard, which will comprise nearly 600 acres, when com- 
pleted, can defy the phylloxera, since it can be laid 
entirely under water during the winter; and this treat- 
ment is the only kind yet found to be effective against 
this insidious pest. 

"* * I have been the more particular in entering into 
details, meager though they be, because all these ex- 
tensive flat plains are capable of being brought under 
irrigation, and therefore will eventually be of inesti- 
mable value for vineyards, because they can defy the 
phylloxera. Moreover, both from the nature of the 
soils, and the intense summer and autumn heats, they 
most nearly, of any I have seen in the State, resemble 
the sherry country of Spain, especially that about San 

Lucar, where much 
of the finest sherry 
is grown, and al- 
ready some of the 
pure, natural wines 
of the Eisen vine- 
yard resemble those 
known as Lisbon 
Siveet and Lisbon 
Dry, wines removed 
one degree from 
sherry, and which 
never appear on the 
English market but 
as sherry. 

"These remarks, 
the result of a fort- 
night's residence at 
the Eisen vineyard 
may, I trust, prove of 
more than passing 
interest to some of 
your many wealthy 
readers. " 

Again he says : 
"Where recourse 
can be had to irri- 
gating, especially in 
unusually dry sea- 
sons, no portion of 
Southern Europe 
can excel the dis- 
trict about Fresno 
for generous wines. 
I spent two whole 
weeks at the Eisen 
vineyard last au- 
tumn before the 
vintage, and ex- 
amined carefully and 
distilled and other- 
wise investigated 
every variety of wi ne 
in the cellars, and 
the resultis the opin- 
ion I then stated. " 
The Fresno Republican of December 20, 1879, says : 
"The point of especial interest to grape-growers of 
Fresno, in the reports upon grape culture in Europe is 
the statement that vines lying contigious to rivers, 
where water could be had for flooding, have not suf- 
fered from phylloxera. Our system of irrigation cor- 
responds to the flooding in France." 

Phylloxera. — So far as we can learn, the grape 
vines in this county are all healthy and vigorous. The 
vineyards are all new, and the vines were all procured 
from vineyards where it was claimed that phylloxera 
did not exist, and besides are all flooded in irrigating 
them, and this, it is claimed by those who know, is 
sure death to thispest. — Fresno Expositor, Feb. 4, 1880. 



44 



FBEgNQ QmMTY* QAMFQBMIA 



PROF. HENRY GROSJEAN'S OPINION. 



[Eroni the Fresno Republican, February 17, 1883.] 



Mr. Henry Grosjean, the French Viticultural Com- 
missioner, "who spent about 5 weeks in Fresno, gave 
TJi < Republican a friendly call the day before his de- 
parture, and was interviewed at considerable length. 
* * * * * * 

Mr. Grosjean — Yes, my stay was longer than ex- 
pected, but 1 do not regret the time v spent here. I 
have been able not only to study your system of irri- 
gation, but also your viticultural and horticultural 
industries. The question of irrigation is the most 
important of all. Your facilities for the same are 
very extensive, and in this respect there are but few 
places in the world equal to this section. * * * 
The advantage of your valley is that the snowy peaks 
of the Sierra Nevada will furnish an inexhaustible 
water supply to irrigate your whole valley, if the irri- 
gation is properly understood, and cared for, and this 
very water, in connection with your sandy loams, 
gives you the necessary means of successfully com- 
batting the phylloxera, that terrible scourge now de- 
stroying the wealth of France. 

Reporter — Have the many chemical remedies tried, 
all failed to destroy the insect ? 

Mr. G. — Yes, nearly so. Only the most valuable 
vineyards can afford to use chemicals. Submersion 
on adobe soil is the only remedy that is practical. On 
sandy soil, where the insect cannot travel, the vine- 
yardist does not need to fear the same. You have 
both these conditions here in the San Joaquin valley, 
especially in Fresno. In my own country, no more 
vineyards are planted on hill-sides "as they used to be, 
except with resistant vines. Our formerly most worth- 
less sandy lands are now found to be the best adapted 
to grapes, and their price has increased enormously. If 
once the irrigation question is settled, the San Joaquin 
valley from end to end will be the France of America, 
or the vineyard of the world. 



REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON THE PHYL- 
LOXERA. 



[From "First Annual Report of the Board of State Viticul- 
cural Commissioners," Sacramento, California, 1881.] 



* * "Concerning remedies for the phyl- 
loxera, there is little yet to be learned from experience 
in this State. We are practically dependent upon the 
results of experiments made in France in making our 
recommendations, although we hope much light will 
be thrown on the subject by the intelligent works that 
have been begun lately among us. The French re- 
ports of the Phylloxera Commission, of the Academy 
of Sciences, of the National School at Montpelier, of 
the various departmental societies and commissions, 
are so voluminous that we cannot, at this time, pre- 
tend to give a synopsis of the actual work that has 
been done. Stimulated by munificent offers of prizes, 
the scientists of Europe have greatly exhausted their 
resources in their efforts to find the best cure. A care- 
ful examination of the best authorities enables us, 
with confidence, to recommend: 

First — Planting vines in sandy soil. 

Second — Submersion of vineyards, when 'practicable, 
to destroy or arrest the phylloxera. 

Third, — Among the insecticides, the use of bisul- 
phide of carbon, accompanied by appropriate fertil- 
izers, chief among which should be potash. 

Fourth — Grafting upon certain varieties of native 
American vines, the roots of which experience so far 
shows to be proof against the pest. 

What is known with certainty, accompanied by 



proof in practical viticulture, is to be collected under 
the foregoing heads. 

Inasmuch as we have no trouble from the phylloxera 
yet where the vines are in sandy soil, or where they 
may be submerged, if necessarj^, our present work is 
mainly, therefore, to be directed in the lines of insect- 
icides and grafting. * * * 



PASSENGER STATISTICS. 



[San Francisco Bulletin, April 28, 1883.] 

The through inward travel by rail in March was the 
largest for any month since May, 1876. The number 
of arrivals has been only twice exceeded in the his- 
tory of the road. The largest number of arrivals of 
through passengers since the opening of the road was 
in October, 1874, when 7,495 arrived. The next 
largest number was in May, 1876, when 6,863 arrived. 
The net gain for that month, however, was only 1,700, 
whereas the net gain in October, 1874, was 5,000. 
The arrivals in March, 1883, were 6,816, and net gain 
was nearly 4,000. The arrivals last month were 
larger than the total for the first 3 months of 1881 
or 1880. People are pouring into California across the 
continent as they have not been coming before, and 
many of these people are coming here to permanently 
locate. If all these settlers do not stop in California, 
they will find homes in adjacent States and Territories, 
and the building up of Oregon, Washington Territory, 
Arizona and New Mexico, is indirectly building up 
California, for most of the supplies for these sections 
are drawn from this city and State. 



IMMIGRATION NOTES. 



[S. F. Post, May 5, 1883.] 

The Immigration Association reports that 1,570 im- 
migrants arrived in this State during the week ending 
to-day by the overland routes. A small majority came 
by the Central Pacific. The association has been ad- 
vised that the Harrison steamship hue of Liverpool 
has decided to put on steamers to run regularly be- 
tween that port and New Orleans, and that the first 
steamer would leave on the 3d instant. Immigration 
tickets can now be purchased from Liverpool to San 
Francisco, via New Orleans, by this route, for 37*2.50. 
It is expected that this will cause a large immigration 
from Great Britain to California. The French steam- 
ship line from Havre to this city, via New Orleans, 
charges $65, and it is thought will be generally used 
by French and German immigrants. The agent of the 
association at Council Bluff's, • Iowa, under date of 
April 26th, states that during the 3 weeks just past. 
he classified 1,036 persons in separate cars, whose final 
destination was California. 



AN AWAITING WELCOME. 



[S. F. Call, April 29, 1883.] 



Three more excursion parties to California have been 
projected from Philadelphia. Before the summer 
closes, we shall have these parties coming from nearly 
all the populous cities of the East, besides other hun- 
dreds who will visit us individually. The fame of the 
State, as a resort for tourists and health and pleasure- 
seekers, has gone abroad to all parts of the world, and 
the number of excursionists will be increased as the 
years go by. Now is the time, when nature has put 
on its carpet of verdure, when the gardens are bril- 
liant with the hues of blooming flowers, and when the 
markets are beginning to be supplied with the early 
fruits, to see California under the most favorable 
aspects; and the sight will be one to make an impres- 
sion of pleasure which time will not soon efface. 



[The following prospectus is inserted as a suggestion to capitalists. The land intended for this enterprise having been 
sold in small tracts shortly after the issuance of this prospectus, the scheme was abandoned.] 



fRSSPBG^aS 



— OF THE — 




Capital, Stock, $500,000. 

NUMBER OF SHARES, 10,000. PAR VALUE, $50.00. 

SUBSCRIPTION PRICE, PER SHARE, $7.50, 

Payable as required by the enterprise. 



In the sub-division and sale of the Easterby Rancho 
the undersigned, last December (1880), organized the 
Fresno Vineyard Company for the purpose of planting 
400 acres of the rancho in vineyard and orchard. All 
the stock was immediately subscribed for by — 

L. P. Drexler — Capitalist. 

Jos. Brandexstein — Capitalist. 

Lachmax & Jacobi — Wine dealers. 

M. Theo. Kearney. 
Nearly 300 acres were planted during January and 
February last, and to-day this company can claim one 
of the finest young vineyards in the State. 

The marked success of the Fresno Vineyard Co. , has 
induced the undersigned to propose to organize an- 
other company to purchase 500 acres of choice land in 
the Easterby Rancho, to be planted in grape vines. 

In view of the wide-spread interest taken in grape 
culture by our people, its rapid development in this 
State during the past 3 years, and the very large 
profits realized from it, it seems wholly unnecessary to 
argue in favor of this interest as an attractive field for 
investment. It may be sufficient, therefore, to say 
that California, with her 80,000 acres of vineyard, has 
but taken the first step on the road to future greatness 
and wealth in grape culture, remembering that in 
France there are over 7,000,000 acres of vineyard, 
in Italy 5,000,000 acres, in Austria and Germany 
4,500,000 acres, and in Spain and Portugal nearly 
4,000,000 acres of producing vineyards. This area, 
however, is being rapidly reduced every year by 
the wholesale destruction of vineyards by phylloxera. 
The same insect which has caused such havoc in 
European vineyards is now spreading over this State 
and destroying as it goes. Protection against the 
ravages of the phylloxera, therefore, is of vital im- 
portance. After close investigation and many ex- 
periments in France it has been found that flooding 
the vineyard with water to a depth of 5 or 6 inches, 
and continuously for 4 to 6 weeks, is the only safe, 
simple and unfailing remedy. This remedy is, of 



of course, impracticable on hillsides or where water is 
scarce, and is, therefore, unavailable in Europe, where 
most of the vineyards are planted on rolling land and 
mountain sides. 

In selecting land for a A 7 ineyard, which will yield the 
largest percentage of profit with the least risk, the fol- 
lowing conditions are required : Rich soil, rather 
moist land, long season for growing to mature the sec- 
ond crop, freedom from early and late frosts, and from 
fogs which cause mildew, level land and an abundance 
of water to flood it, to drown the phylloxera and other 
pests. The property proposed to be purchased by this 
company is possessed of all these requirements to the 
fullest extent, and others which it is unnecessary to 
mention. 

The following estimate of expenditures is made by 
the undersigned after practical experience as manager 
of the Fresno Vineyard Co. The total amount may 
appear large and is intended to cover all possible out- 
lay, but it is nearer the truth than many more favor- 
able estimates published in the newspapers. The esti- 
mate of results is intentionally made considerably lower 
than the facts warrant ; but even at these figures the 
profit shown must satisfy all reasonable people. 

ESTIMATE OF EXPENDITURES. 

500 acres of first-class land, including water 

rights @ $50 00 |25,000 00 

Buildings, fences, head gates and bridges. . 6,000 00 

Live stock, farming implements, etc . 3,000 00 

Distributing ditches, checks, leveling, plow- 
ing, planting, irrigating and cultivation 

the first year 25,000 00 

400,000 cuttings @ $5 00 per M 2,000 00 

Fruit and shade trees 1,000 00 

Cultivation the second year ■. . . 10,000 00 

Sundries and cash on hand ". . . 3,000 00 

Total amount required $75,000 00 



46 



FRESNO COUNTY,, QAMFOBNIA, 



ESTIMATE OF RESULTS, 

When Grapes are Sold to Wine Makers. 

In Fresno, with irrigation, in 8 months from plant- 
ing the cuttings there will be scattering bunches of 
grapes. 

The second .year a light crop will be obtained. 

Profit. 

The third year 3 tons per acre @ $25 00 per 
ton=$75 00, less labor at $15 00 per acre 
= 860 00; on 500 acres= - - - $30,000 00 

The fourth year 5 tons per acre @ $25 00 
= 8125 00 less labor at $20 00 per acre= 
$105 00; on 500 acres = - - - $52,500 00 

The fifth year 7 tons per acre @ $25 00== 
$175 00 less $20 00 for labor=$155 00; 
on500acres= .... $77,50000 

The sixth year 8 tons per acre at $25 00= 
|200 00 less $20 00 forlabor=$180 00; on 
500 acres= - - - - ' - $90,000 00 
Thereafter the vines will bear from 7 to 12 tons per 

acre every year with irrigation. 

It will be noticed that this estimate is based upon 
the sale of the grapes to wine-makers instead of the 
manufacture of wine. If this company should turn 
their grapes into wine the profits of the enterprise 
would be increased about 50 per cent., but it would 
involve an additional outlay for wine cellar, cooperage, 
etc.* 

The raising a crop of grapes requires no more skill 
than is needed in producing a crop of wheat, and there 
it is proposed this company shall stop. In 2 or 3 
years there will be in the vicinity of the Easter- 
by Rancho from 7,000 to 10,000 acres of vineyard 
which will produce grapes enough for half a 'dozen 
wine manufacturers. Already offers have been made 
by parties having skill, experience and capital to erect 
wineries at the water-power on the Easterby Rancho, 
and purchase all grapes offered in that vicinity. It is 
proposed to offer the crop for sale at public auction 
each autumn, to the highest bidder, for cash, the pur- 
chaser to gather the crop from the vines to suit him- 
self. In this way all risk is avoided, and, as irriga- 
tion insures large crops, the stockholders can look for- 
ward to very gratifying dividends every year. It may 
be mentioned here that F. T. Eisen, Esq., of the Eisen 
Vineyard, offers to make contracts for a term of years 
to buy large quantities of grapes at $25 00 per ton. 

Profit over 100 per cent, per year from the beginning. 

The Capital Stock of this company is placed at 
$500,000, which would be $1,000 per acre for the 500 
acres of vineyard. Estimating the value of a vineyard 
in that section in full bearing at $1,000 per acre, and 
that is certainly a fair price when it is remembered 
that it will yield a profit of 15 per cent., or more, an- 
nually on that amount, it will be seen that the princi- 
pal invested will increase over 5 fold in value in 6 
years, besides returning in dividends 3 fold the cap-; 
ital invested within the same period. 

The more this subject is investigated the more will 
our people become convinced that in our vineyard in- 
terests California is possessed of a bonanza of colossal 
proportions, one that will never " peter out," and that 
the more dividends it pays the more valuable it will 
become. 

Maps and circulars of the Easterby Rancho sent free 
on application. 

Further information on this subject may be had at 
my office. 

22 Montgomery St., San Francisco, 

M. Theo. Kearney. 



PRICES OF LANDS IN SOUTHERN 
CALIFORNIA. 



The following extracts are given to show by con 
parison the special inducements offered by Fresno in 
the low prices at which lands are sold there. Fair 
quality land, with an abundance of water for irrigation, 
can be bought there at $20 per acre, and land equal to 
the best in the State, at $100 per acre. 



PRICE OF LAND IN SOUTHERN CALI- 
FORNIA. 



The choice fruit lands of Southern California have 
materially advanced in price during the past 3 years, 
as actual returns have begun to come in from bearing 
orchards and vineyards. The Ontario Fruit Growei; 
of the third instant, gives the following notes on prices 
of lands lying in San Bernardino and Los Angeles 
counties : 

In Riverside naked land can be bought from $250 to 
$400 an acre. There is no good land to be had in the 
settlement at less than the minimum price stated. Im- 
proved lands range from $500 per acre and upwards, 
according to location and character of improvements. 

The Redlands unimproved land is held at 8200, with 
a chance to occasionally pick up a tract in second 
hands at perhaps a little less. 

At Crafton land is held at $200, with light sales on 
account of the unfinished condition of the water 
system, but the reservoirs and distributing ditches and 
pipes will soon assume shape. 

On the base line northeast of San Bernardino, choice 
locations are held at from 8200 to 8500 per acre. 

At Etiwanda the price was started last May at $100 
per acre, and advanced to $150, where it has since 
stood firm with fine sales. 

Ontario has just been started, with .prices fixed at 
$150 to $250 per acre, with sales quite lively. 

At Pomona, the land is selling now at from 875 to 
8150 per acre. 

The Hermonsa tract was sold at from 8100 to $150 
per acre, with little or no more land for sale. 

The Cucamongo tract is now being put on the 
market at a price ranging from 8100 upwards. 

This is a complete list of prices of la\d ? ijui this in- 
terior valley, where large tracts are bein\ c4t up and 
sold with water rights. Of course there^|re\ isolated 
tracts^ and all kinds of land for sale at a^i J^pds of 
priced/good, bad and indifferent, which we do not pre- 
terit to quote. 

^ 

VALUE OF IRRIGATED LANDS. 




[From the Los Angeles Herald, December 18, 1879.] 



To a point blank inquiry, addressed to Messrs. L. 
J. Rose and Wm. H. Workman, as to whether, in 
their judgment, $100 is an excessive price for an 
acre of land with the proper facilities for irrigation 
and adapted to vineyard, the former gentleman re- 
plied that, considering the income it could be made to 
yield, $600 an acre would not be extravagant for some 
of these lands. They are cheap now, because of their 
abundance. At a moderate estimate, and taking the 
Mission vine as the standard, each vine will yield S 
pounds of grapes. There are 1,200 vines to the acre, 
which would give 9.600 pounds, that, at 820 a ton, 
would return 896 gross. The entire expense of rais- 
ing and marketing the crop would be 815 per acre, 
leaving a net return of 8S1. Lands upon which such 




^S^/Joi^iWWW'. « 



FBE$N@ CQinWT, VALIFQBNIA* 



47 



pecuniary results are guaranteed when the vine has at- 
tained a fair growth have hardly a reasonable limit to 
their intrinsic value. 

But there is another view of the matter which is 
still more suggestive. Mr. Rose has experimented with 
quite a number of grapes which will yield, in given 
localities, twice as much as the Mission, and make a 
better wine. Having selected lands which have been 
proved to be adapted to these varieties of the grape, a 
simple calculation will give a gross return of $192 per 
acre, less, as before, $15 for expenses, insuring a net 
profit of $177. 

Mr. Bose next dwelt upon the most wonderful fact 
about irrigated lands. They perpetually renew their 
fertility. The mere irrigation answers here all the 
purposes of the expensive manures of Europe and the 
Eastern States. 

Mr. Workman added a hint of his own experiences 
as a vineyardist during the past year. He cultivated 
the Mission grape, and this year he netted $150 an 
acre. Such a large net return from the Mission grape 
would excite surprise Were we to fail to add that Mr. 
Workman also makes wine. But he sold his crude 
new wine for 20 cents a gallon, leaving him the handsome 
reward mentioned above. 



WINE AND FRUIT LANDS. 



The San Jose Herald says that land suitable for 
the vine and fruit is rapidly rising in value in that 
vicinity. Within a year it has risen from $100 to 
$200 per acre, and people are talking about $500 
in the near future. This is a pretty high figure, 
but when we consider that some choice fruit lands 
have yielded a profit of $1,000 an acre, it is not 
unreasonable. But the average immigrant is not go- 
ing to pay even $200 an acre for land. He is not used 
to making that kind of figures. Those only who know 
something of the business of fruit-growing, and have 
seen what may be done with an acre, will pay such 
prices. Fortunately, it is not necessary that they 
should. In almost all of the central and southern 
counties of the State there are lands adapted to fruits 
and the vine which can be purchased at from $20 to $30 
or $40 per acre. This land, of course, has to be culti- 
vated. The purchaser, instead of buying an orchard 
or vineyard right out, and paying the former owner 
for his work, himself buys the land and puts his 
work in. 



RIVERSIDE. 



[From the Riverside Press.] 



Ever since Biverside was first settled people have 
complained that the price of land here was too high. 
That was the case even when the naked land was held 
at $25 per acre. When it got up to $50 the cry was 
renewed with redoubled vigor. Two years ago the 
price was ranging from $60 to $100 for choice pieces, 
and then many said that prices were too high for specu- 
lation, but that if a man wanted a home it would do. 
Since that time prices of both wild land and improved 
property have advanced steadily until unimproved land 
in good locations has sold at $275 per acre in Arling- 
ton, and of course much higher within the town limits 
of Biverside — naked 1\ acre blocks selling for as high 
a figure as $1,200. 

Improved property has kept pace with unimproved 
land, and has sold for $1,000 when the improvements 
consisted of orchard and vineyard alone, and still 
prices have a very decided upward tendency. 

Last fall a gentleman paid $16,000 for a 40-acre 
tract in Arlington, and last week he put it on the 
market at $26,000, and this week he countermanded 



his order, fixing the price now ao $28,000. No im- 
provements have been put on thig place in the mean 
time, only the orchard is 4 months older. 

Another gentleman paid $8,000 for a 10-acre tract 
last fall, since which time he has put on about $1,000 
worth of improvements. A few days since he was 
asked how much he would take for his place, and 
answered very promptly " $15,000. : ' "I'll give it," 
was the ready reply. "Well," said the property 
owner, "I really didn't think you wanted to buy, and 
I shall have to request a couple of hours to consider 
the matter." Before the 2 hours were up he decided 
not to sell at those figures. 

Some of our shrewdest business men and capitalists 
are very firm in the belief that prices will double 
again in this valley before the end of the year 1884, 
and some fix the date still earlier. 



PRICE OF LAND IN CENTRAL CALI- 
FORNIA. 



[San Francisco Corr. N. T. Tribune.] 



The demand for grapes and all kinds of fruits has 
led to a "boom" in farming lands. In spite of the 
large railroad land grants in this State there is much 
land, remote from market, which still awaits the settler 
at Government rates. But the land that is being bought 
now, is land convenient to the market, and adapted 
to fruit-growing. The prices paid would astonish 
those who look on this as a newly settled State. At 
Vacaville, in the heart of fertile Solano county, last 
week there was a sale at auction of several thousand 
acres of unimproved land. It was near the town, 
and was choice fruit land. Five years ago it would 
have brought $50 an acre. Now it is sold for prices 
ranging from $80 to $150 an acre, the average being 
about $100. To those who come out here with the ex- 
pectation of getting a ranch for a few hundred dollars, 
these seem exorbitant prices. In fact, there is no more 
common error than to suppose that land is cheap in 
California. It is almost as dear as in the oldest set- 
tled parts of New York or Ohio, because its money- 
producing power has been demonstrated. 



FRUIT LANDS. 



[From the Healdsburg Enterprise.} 



The Democrat records the sale of 40 acres of land 
near Santa Clara, at a cost of $225 per acre. It is to 
be used for fruit -raising. The price paid is by no 
means exorbitant. Orchards in the vicinity of Healds- 
burg have the past season yielded from $200 to $500 
per acre, and in one instance a young orchard, just 
below Healdsburg, yielded $540 per acre. One intel- 
ligent horticulturist here, who has about 15 acres of 
bearing fruit trees, will set out an additional 25 acres — 
all the available land on his place — and he confidently 
looks to realizing a revenue of $200 per acre, or $8,000 
a year from 40 acres. Divide that by 2, and the re- 
sult, $4,000, is not to be sneezed at. Notwithstand- 
ing these possibilities, good fruit lands here can yet be 
bought at from $20 to $200 per acre. 



A VALUABLE ORCHARD. 



The Los Angeles Timejs says : We visited a 20-acre 
orchard, a few days since, in this county, which is held 
at a valuation of $16,000, or $800 per acre; and it is 
cheap at that. And it is but 5 years since the place 
was but a sheep range, not worth for the purposes for 
which it was utilized, $5 per acre. 



48 



FRESNO CQUNFT* ®AMF@MM1A* 



ERRORS ABOUT CALIFORNIA LANDS 
AND FRUIT. 



[From the San Francisco Evening Bulletin, April 13, 1883.] 



A citizen of this State, now in New York, who is 
interested in the development of the resources of Cali- 
fornia, calls attention to this statement, which recent- 
ly appeared in the New York Sun: "The orchards 
and vineyards of California, in spite of their wonder- 
ful productiveness and occasionally enormous profits, 
are likely to bring their cultivators to grief. The bus- 
iness is being overdone. Some lands have been sold at 
as high a'price as $1,000 per acre, and too many peo- 
ple are going into such enterprises." We are quite 
sure that the Sun did not intend anything unfriendly 
in this paragraph. Its senior editor is in this State on 
a tour of observation and pleasure. He will have 
many opportunities to know that the statement here 
quoted is misleading and erroneous. As to the ex- 
treme prices of fruit lands here mentioned, it is possi- 
ble that a few acres suitable for citrus fruit-growing, 
near the beautiful town of Riverside, have been sold 
as high as $1,000 an acre. Choice pieces of from 5 to 
10 acres in other places not remote from Riverside may 
have brought as large prices. But in these instances 
it will probably turn out that besides the value of the 
land for fruit-growing, it had another and distinct val- 
ue as a country seat, just as small parcels of land on 
the banks of the Hudson River have another value 
quite distinct from that given to them by their produc- 
ing capacity. A thousand dollars an acre for a choice 
suburban piece of land on which orange, lemon and 
other semi-tropical fruits are already growing, and 
where the property is' sure to become a most attractive 
country seat — is not an extravagant price. There are 
no places along the banks of the Hudson which can be 
made so attractive as many a 10 and 20 acre orange 
grove on the edge of such a town as Riverside ; and 
this some of the New Yorkers now living at the latter 
place well know. But the error is in quoting the 
price of $1,000 an acre as the standard price of fruit 
land in California. 

If we were to mark as close as possible, after a good 
deal of observation and inquiry, we should not place 
the average price of unimproved fruit lands in Cali- 
fornia much above $30 an acre. We know that during 
this present year thousands of acres could have been 
bought at that figure, and even less. There are a 
great many considerations going to affect the price of 
fruit land — such as remoteness from, or proximity to 
large towns, and the facilities for getting fruit to 
market. The kind of soil, whether there are improve- 
ments, such as fences, barns and houses. Thus, one 
might go north from this city, say from 100 miles to 
120 miles, into Lake county, where many picturesque 
parcels of land had been offered say for $30 an acre. 
Such parcels would be well watered and have an 
abundance of wood. If there were substantial improve- 
ments, of course these would raise the price of the 
land. But a stirring agent can go out into this State 
to-day and buy all the unimproved fruit lands he 
wants at prices ranging from $15 to $30. If he gives 
more in some instances for choice parcels, it is becaiise 
they are worth it by reason of proximity to a town or 
village or a railway depot, or because there are soon 
to be these and other facilities in the immediate neigh- 
borhood. It is, of course, not easy to gauge the price 
of fruit lands in this State so as to hit the average, 
because of the great variation. But the average named 
will be found to be approximately correct. 

We do not ignore the fact that a great deal of un- 
improved land, suitable for vineyard purposes, may be 
bought in remote parts of the State for $5 an acre, or 



that other choice pieces of unimproved land might go 
up to $50 an acre, or even higher. And even parcels as 
high as $75 an acre might be really cheaper than other 
land at $5 an acre. There are a great many tracts of 
Government land which are as good for fruit culture 
at $1.25, as a great deal of that which has been sold at 
$30 an acre. What is to the point here is that a great 
many immigrants have this year been directed to such 
lands, and have taken possession of them as settlers, 
to the astonishment of those who had been holding 
them without title and had turned settlers away, until 
they were taught that this kind of fraud would be no 
longer tolerated. The senior editor of the Sun will find 
these statements to be substantially true if he will 
make the requisite inquiries, and finding them to be 
true, it will no doubt fall in with his sense of justice 
to make a proper correction of the erroneous statement 
which has found its way, unwittingly, we may hope, 
into his paper. 

As to the other statement, that fruit-growing in this 
State has been overdone and is likely to bring culti- 
vators to grief, that is also misleading. There have 
been similar hints given many times before. There is 
no more prospect of fruit culture being overdone in 
California than there is that butter and cheese-making 
and wool-growing will be overdone ; and yet the pre- 
diction that the latter industries would be overdone, 
too, has been made many times, and as often as made, 
the facts have disproved the theory. Whoever goes 
about fruit culture in a blind, haphazard sort of a way, 
may find in his individual experience that the business 
is overdone. That was found out more than 20 years ago. 
It was found out at a later date, when much poor fruit 
was dumped into the bay. There is no more danger of 
overdoing the wine business in California than there is 
in France. By this we mean intelligent and skillful 
viticulture. By no other means have so large values 
been taken from the ground, per acre, during the last 5 
years, as by fruit-growing. Individual failures here 
and there mean nothing more than that the individual 
had made a mistake as to the kinds of fruit he was 
growing, or in the methods of cultivation. Such mis- 
takes pertain to all departments of agriculture. 

There was a market last year at remunerative prices 
for every pound of Bartlett and Winter Nellis pears in 
merchantable condition, every pound of the better 
sorts of plums and apricots, every pound of cherries, 
and every box of good apples grown in the State. 
There was a market also for all good wine and table 
grapes at prices which paid the producer a handsome 
profit. Prices for canning fruit were somewhat lower 
than the year before. But it was noted that many 
who grumbled a little at low prices, went right on put- 
ting out new orchards, thus giving certain evidence 
that the business on the whole had been very satisfac- 
tory. Indeed, since the last crop of fruit in this State 
was gathered and marketed, the most extensive prepa- 
rations for new orchards and vineyards were made 
that were ever known in California. In a few in- 
stances the planting area was abridged somewhat by 
the drought of midwinter. But the late rains made it 
certain that vineyard and orchard planting would not 
be attended this year with more than the usual con- 
tingencies. Were this business overdone, how does it 
happen that men who have been long in this indus- 
try are doubling the area which they had formerly de- 
voted to fruit ? There may have been some, extrava- 
gant statements about the profits of fruit culture in 
this State, which no more represent the average re- 
sults than the Stars item of fruit land held at 81.000 
an acre, or that fruit culturists were likely to come to 
grief. What is still true, and has been true, is that 
for the greatest variety of profitable fruit culture. Cal- 
ifornia offers greater inducements than any other Stale 
in the Union. 



Situated in Easterby Rancho, Fresno County, California, 

CAPITAL STOCK, $100,000. SHARES, 2,000. PAR VALUE, $50. 



*DIRBC¥ 



I.* 



L. P. DREXLER (Peesident), JOSEPH BRANDENSTEIN (Vice-President), LACHMAN and JACOBI 
(Treasurers), M. THEO. KEARNEY (Manager), GEORGE W. BEAVER. 

[From Elliott's History of Fresno County, 1882.] 



This company was organized in December, 1880, by 
M. Theo. Kearney, mainly through the interest taken 
in the matter by L. P. Drexler, a wealthy and enter- 
prising capitalist from Virginia City, Nevada. Mr. 
Drexler and. Mr. Lachman, of the firm of Lachman & 
Jacobi, the leading wine dealers of California, visited 
Fresno, made a careful examination of the country 
about the town of Fresno, and particularly of the 
Eisen vineyard, The result of their investigations 
being entirely satisfactory the company was organized 
immediately on their return to San Francisco. Four 
hundred acres of land were purchased from Mr. 
Kearney, to which were added subsequently 50 acres 
more. The land selected is a portion of the celebrated 
Easterby Rancho, and is situated 4 miles due east from 
the town of Fresno. The soil is very rich, being an 
alluvial deposit of reddish color and over 20 feet deep. 
The company concluded to plant one-half of the land 
that season, and work was commenced at once, Mr. 
Kearney being placed in charge as manager. Although 
the season for preparing land for planting was very 
far advanced, Mr. Kearney determined to accomplish 
the task and set about the work vigorously. Eighty 
men and over 100 horses were employed in various de- 
partments, surveying, clearing the land, building irri- 
gating canals and levees, plowing, harrowing, planting 
vines and fruit trees, building water gates and bridges, 
etc., etc., all branches of the work going on at the same 
time. Through his energy and skill, -together with 
a large outlay of money, over 220 acres of vineyard 
and 30 acres of orchard were prepared and planted 
within 60 days from the time of commencing work. 
Thorough cultivation followed during the summer, 
and at the same time the remainder of the land was 
prepared for planting, buildings erected, and in Jan- 
uary, 1882, planting was finished. 

An idea may be formed of the amount of labor ex- 
pended on this property when it is stated that there 
were constructed for irrigating the property over 10 
miles of ditches, together with nearly 40 miles of 
levees,. forming "checks," of 1 to 2. acres each for the 



purpose of retaining the water on the land during the 
process of irrigation. These "checks" were then 
leveled so that the water would cover the highest 
point and yet not be deeper than 6 inches at the low- 
est point. There were two objects gained by prepar- 
ing these "checks " in this manner, one was to secure 
thorough irrigation at the lowest cost, which was 
accomplished, for by means of water-gates opening 
from the canals into each "check" one man's labor 
alone is required to irrigate the whole 450 acres. The 
other object was to guard the vineyard against the 
ravages of the phylloxera. This insect, as is now gen- 
erally known, has destroyed millions of acres of vine- 
yard in Europe, and is destroying thousands of acres 
of vineyards in this State. The scientists of France, 
after many years of careful investigation, have found 
that the only absolute remedy is to submerge the 
vineyard with water continuously for a period of 6 
weeks to a depth of 6 inches. As the insect remains 
on the roots of the vines, this treatment not only 
drowns them but also destroys their eggs. Over 250red- 
wood water-gates were required for these canals, 
and 25 bridges to cross them. Three miles of rabbit- 
tight fencing was built, besides some cross-fences. 

Three hundred and fifty acres of vineyard are 
planted of the following varieties: Sixty acres 
Malvoisie, 55 acres Zinfandel, 50 acres Feher Zagos, 
40 acres Charbonneau, 40 acres Grey Riesling, 24 acres 
Chasselas, 24 acres Blaue Elben, 20 acres Mataro, 10 
acres Muscat of Alexandra, 10 acres Malaga, 10 acres 
Burger, 10 acres black Hamburg, and 5 acres Lenoir. 
There are 30 acres of orchard, of which 14 acres are 
prunes, 7 acres peaches, 3 acres apricots, and the re- 
mainder apples, figs, pears, cherries, nectarines, 
oranges, etc. Besides the orchard there are thousands 
of fruit' trees, principally Bartlett pears, planted on 
both sides of all the avenues and canals, aggregating 
a continuous line 11 miles long. Thousands of Mon- 
terey cypress and poplar trees have been planted 
along the fence for wind breaks, also clover and blue 
grass lawns and ornamental plants and flowers on the 



50 



FRESNO GQVNTY, CALIFORNIA 



grounds about the dwelling-house. One feature of 
the place is a grape arbor nearly 500 feet long, con- 
taining a great variety of grapes. The remaining 60 
acres are planted in alfalfa for hay and pasturage. 
This grass yields 4 crops per year of one and one-half 
to two tons of hay per acre at each cutting. 

The buildings on this place consist of a commodious 
and -well-finished dwelling-house (see picture) 40x46 
feet, and two stories high. This house is built of 
" adobe " (sun-dried brick) with Avails 17 inches 
thick. It is admirably adapted to this climate, being 
warm in winter and very cool in summer. A kitchen 
and dining-room, 24x38 feet and built of wood is con- 
nected with the dwelling by a covered porch. Ample 
quarters have been furnished for the white laborers 
and a separate building for the Chinamen employed on 
the place. A wind-mill and tank of 5,000 gallons 
capacity is near the house; also an " adobe " cellar is 
built above ground, where meats, butter, milk, etc., 
can be kept fresh in the hottest weather. The barn is 
a substantial structure, 50x80 feet and 18 feet high, 
with stalls for 16 horses, large hay room, and abund- 
ant room for all the farming implements. A sub- 
stantial "adobe" wine cellar has just been finished 
which is 104x104 feet, with capacity for nearly 200,- 
000 gallons of wine. There is also a distillery for 
making brandy and a cooper shop. 

That the owners of this property are justified in so 
large an outlay and in making such thorough prepara- 
tions for the manufacture of wines can easily be seen 
by even a casual examination of the vineyard. The 
growth of vines and trees as seen now, less than 2 
years from planting, is simply marvelous. Although 
the vines have been planted 8 feet apart they have 
grown (even now) so as to cover the land between the 
rows. There seems to be very little doubt that the 
expectations of the company in a yield of 10 tons of 
grapes per acre is in a fair way to be realized without 
"waiting for the fourth or fifth year. Even cuttings 
planted last winter now have bunches of grapes on 
them, and the cuttings planted the previous winter 
have 3 to 15 bunches of grapes each. This property is 
undoubtedly a striking example of what the rich soil 
and extremely favorable climate of Fresno county will 
do in the way of grape-growing when aided by capital 
and intelligent labor. 



[Copy of Advertisement.] 

FRESNO VINEYARD STOCK FOR SALE. 

OFFICE OF THE 

Eistetbi Rush® toniwi 



capital stock of the Fresno Vineyard Company, the 
total number of shares being 2,000. 

This company's vineyard is admitted by all who 
have seen it to be one of the very best appointed, 
most successful, and most valuable young vineyards 
in this State. There are 450 acres of the very choicest 
land in the county in this tract, of which 380 acres 
have been planted in the best varieties of foreign 
grape-vines and the most valuable fruit-trees, and 50 
acres in alfalfa. The vineyard is throughly leveled, 
and laid off into checks of 1 to 2 acres each, by means 
of which it can be entirely submerged from the irri- 
gating canals running through the property, and is 
thereby completely protected from the ravages of 
phylloxera. It is equipped with the most approved 
implements and choice animals; is enclosed with a 
rabbit-proof fence, has ample buildings for laborers 
and live stock, and one of the finest residences in the 
county. 

A substantial wine-cellar, 104 feet square, has just 
been finished, and a large amount of oak tanks have 
already been secured and paid for. 

The company is entirely free from debt, except for 
the current monthly expenses, all bills being paid on 
the first of each month. 

The growth of vines in this vineyard is so remark- 
able that it would be difficult to produce its equal in 
that respect anywhere. It is therefore no exaggera- 
tion to say that a yield of 8 to 12 tons of grapes per 
acre can be counted upon when the vineyard reaches 
maturity. A small crop of grapes having been gathered 
from this vineyard the past season, it will probably 
yield a moderate profit this season, and thereafter 
Avill pay dividends of $20 and 850, or more per share 
per year, increasing as the vines become older. That 
it may be seen how moderate the above statement of 
estimated dividends is, a statement of probable re- 
ceipts and expenditures is hereto annexed. 

Next fall this property will be on a dividend -paying 
basis; in the meantime there will be an outlay for the 
cultivation of the vineyard and orchard, and for the 
erection of a small distillery, and the equipment of 
the wine-cellar with cooperage and machinery. The 
total of such outlay cannot exceed 810 per share, and 
will probably be 87.50 per share. 

The following well-known business men are the di- 
rectors of the company, and own the remainder of 
the stock, which is the best guarantee that the affairs 
of the company will be managed on strict business 
principles : 

L. P. Drexler, President; Jos. Brandeustein, Vice- 
President; Lachman & Jacobi, Treasurers, and Geo. 
TV Beaver. 

Through this connection with Lachman & Jacobi. 
the leading wine dealers of California, this Company 
has special facilities for marketing its wines, and wih 
therefore secure the greatest possible profit from the 
investment. 

This property will bear the closest investigation. 



M. THE0. KEARNEY, Manager. 



Xo. 22 Montgomery Street, \ 

Sax Francisco, March, 1883. J 

Dear Sir — I am the owner of 400 shares of val- 
uable vineyard stock, and having just entered into a 
large colonizing and vineyard enterprise in Fresno 
county, I wish to sell this stock for cash to use in my 
new enterprise. The stock I offer is one-fifth of the 



ESTIMATE OF RECEIPTS AND EXPENDI- 
TURES. 

There being thousands of fruit-trees lining the ave- 
nues and ditches which, together with the orchard 
proper, will yield a much greater revenue per acre 
than the vineyard, and as there will be a large amount 
of hay to sell from the 50 acres of alfalfa. I will, for 
the purpose of this estimate, simply reckon the prop- 
erty as 400 acres of vineyard. An average yield of 
10 tons of grapes per acre being a perfectly safe . 
mate for this property at the fifth year from planting 
the cuttings, the returns would be as follows: 




m 
z 

> 

JO 

en 
pi 
o 

< 

pi 



o 
rn 

Co 

o 
PI 

O 

m 



WWTW,, 0ALIFOMNIA, 



51 



400 acres at 10 tons per acre 4,000 tons 

4,000 tons at 140 gallons of wine to 

the ton of grapes 560,000 galls 

Present price per gallon, 30 cents. . .$168,000 00 

Deduct expenses of cultivation one 
year, picking grapes, handling wine, 
etc., at $50 per acre (a large esti- 
mate) , $20,000 00 



Profit for one year $148,000 00 



Or, $74 per share. 

The above estimate is based upon facts easily ascer- 
tainable, and shows that there is a large margin for con- 
tingencies which would still leave a large profit. No 
deductions should be made from the yield of this 
property, as a large part of it is liable to produce 15 
tons of grapes per acre instead of 10 tons. Neither 
should there be any additions to the season's expenses, 
as $50 per acre is ample. The only probable variation 
is in the price of wine. It now sells for 30 cents per 
gallon, it may sell at 20 cents, and it is just as likely 
to sell at 40 cents per gallon. Even at 20 cents per 
gallon, this property will pay large dividends. 

Four hundred shares of stock offered. Present price, 
$100 per share— $40,000. 

For further particulars apply to 

M. Theo. Kearney, 
22 Montgomery street, San Francisco. 

Office hours — 10 to 11 A. m., and 2 to 3 p. m. 



RAISIN MAKING. 



[Marysville Appeal.] 



In all parts of the State there is an unusual tendency 
among land owners and farmers toward viticulture, 
and it is said there is danger that the business of 
growing raisin grapes will be overdone. But there 
need not be excess if all who enter the business thor- 
oughly understand it and grow the right kind of 
grapes. This matter was thoroughly discussed and 
made clear at a recent fruit growers' convention held 
at San Francisco. At that convention a letter was 
read from James Boyd, of Riverside, in which that 
practical viticulturalist stated that the raisin business 
of the State was in its infancy. Mr. Boyd insists that 
we can make in this State the best quality of raisins. 
All that is necessary is experience and the selection of 
the proper climate and lands. These we have almost 
everywhere. Mr. Boyd says : The total cost of 
growing and making them into raisins is about $57 an 
acre on 1 year old vines. For each succeeding year 
$25 an acre should be added for additional labor. The 
returns after 2 years would be $80 for the third, 
$240 for the fourth, $320 for the fifth and $400 for the 
sixth year — a total of $1,040 against $370 for expenses. 
For picking and packing $320 would have to be ex- 
pended, leaving $377 an acre at the end of 6 years. 
In addition to the above statement, Mr. Boyd cited an 
instance where one grower sold 615 boxes from 2 acres 
in about 30 months from the time of planting, realiz- 
ing over $1,200 at a cost of not over $300. 



THE SULTANA GRAPE. 

[From the S. F. Bulletin, Nov. 15, 1882.] 

The coming grape, considering the demand for cut- 
tings this season, appears to be the Sultana, the well- 
known seedless variety from the Levant. From being 
little known 5 years ago it has come suddenly into 



prominence for raisins and wine, until the plantings 
this season will be limited only by the supply of cut- 
tings. It well deserves its general popularity. It not 
only makes one of the most delicious seedless raisins, 
but a white wine of delicate and superior flavor, be- 
sides which, in favored localities it has proved itself to 
be an enormous bearer. How it ever got the reputa- 
tion of being a shy bearer is a mystery to those who 
are familiar with its culture in Yolo county. 

Six years ago R. B. Blowers, the well-known raisin 
grower of Woodland, planted several acres with cut- 
tings of this variety, putting them in widely apart, or 
at the rate of 515 vines to the acre. The first crop 
was produced the third year and the yield was 5 tons 
to the acre; the second crop was at the rate of 10 tons, 
the crop of the fifth year was 12 tons, and the past 
season, the sixth from the planting, the vines pro- 
duced the astonishing crop of 17 tons per acre. It is 
doubtful if this yield was ever before equaled in this 
State with any variety. It should be stated that Mr. 
Blower's soil is a rich, strong loam of great depth, is 
copiously irrigated and receives the best culture in- 
telligent management can bestow. Owing to the un- 
timely rains, which interfered with raisin working, 
the crop was sold to a wine maker (who found the 
saccharine strength to be 23 per cent.), at $30 per ton, 
just double the price received for Muscatel sold for 
the same purpose. Mr. Blowers has already received 
orders for 140,000 cuttings, all the wood his vineyard 
has produced. Most of them go to the southern part 
of the State, Los Angeles county alone having ordered 
100,000. 



FRESNO RAISINS, 



[Fresno Republican, Dec. 9, 1882.] 

Many of our readers will undoubtedly be pleased to 
hear that the Fresno raisins this year brought the 
highest price paid for any California raisins in San 
Francisco — higher even than the justly celebrated 
Blowers raisins. With such prospects every year, the 
raisin business cannot but prove highly profitable. 



PROFIT OF FRUIT CULTURE IN THE 
UPPER SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY. 



[From the Resources of California, December, 1879.] 



A correspondent, signing himself "Old Times," thus 
writes to the Visalia Delta: * * "I learn from the sta- 
tistics compiled by our assessor, for the year 1879, that 
we have in this county trees of various kinds in the 
following numbers: 21,200 apple, 21,380 peach, 3,800 
pear, 2,500 plum, 718 cherry, 693 nectarines, 2,259 
apricot, 2,713 fig, 132 lemon, 1,123 orange, 243 prune, 
1,960 almond— of vines: 18,900 blackberry, 100,000 
strawberry, and 150,000 grape. Now, with the above 
quantity of trees, what has been the prevalent prices? 
They can be placed at the lowest figures as follows: 
Apples, 2 cents; peaches, 1^; apricots, nectarines, 
prunes and plums, 3 cents each; strawberries, 10; 
blackberries, 10 cents a pound. Apple trees set 20 
feet apart each, required 108 to the acre, and at 8 
years of age, will average 200 pounds to the tree — 
making the yearly income from an acre $432; and I 
know of 1 orchard of winter apples within 3 miles 
of Visalia, that is about 18 years old, which brings 
annually from $1,500 to $2,000, which is at the rate of 
$900 per acre at 3 cents per pound, and the owner has 
no trouble in disposing of the apples at that price. An 
acre of peach trees — 108 to the acre — at the age of 4 



52 



FRESNQ CQWMWY, CALMFOMWIA 



years, if properly eared for, will average 200 pounds 
to the tree, which gives §320 per acre. I have some 
planted 16 feet apart — making 170 to the acre — that 
produced this season 200 pounds to the tree, or at the 
rate of ^510 to the acre. 

Apricots will bear at the age of 4 years, and when 6 
years old will average 200 pounds to the tree — 108 to 
the acre bringing $648 per acre. At the prices paid at 
the San Jose cannery this season — 4J cents per pound 
by the ton — a 12 year old orchard of apricots would 
bring an income of §1,200 per acre, allowing only 300 
pounds to the tree, which is a low average for trees at 
that age. There is a large and increasing foreign de- 
mand for canned and dried apricots and nectarines, 
and there is no danger of glutting the market with 
them. All we have to do is to raise the fruit, and 
capital will come in and prepare it for market. Three 
years ago San Jose had only 1 small cannery and dryer; 
this year there were 3 canneries and dryers in full 
blast, the gross product of which amounted to $200, - 
000, with a foreign and Eastern market for the entire, 
amount prepared there. 

Iu this semi-tropical climate we never have a total 
failure of fruit. In 21 years' residence, I have never 
seen a total failure of a crop, and the greatest trouble 
we have is in our trees bearing too heavily, which in- 
jures the quality of the fruit. In conclusion, I would 
advise the setting aj>art of at least from 5 to 10 acres 
from your farm for a well-assorted orchard, and I am 
convinced that it will pay you five-fold more to the 
acre than any other crop that can be produced upon it. 

The section about Fresno is in every respect as favor- 
able for the cultivation of fruits as that of Visalia, 
which is only 50 miles south, and in the same valley. 
One great advantage Fresno has over Visalia, is the fact 
that a large canning establishment is already in full 
operation in Fresno. 



This factory has taken gold medals in London and in 
the World's Exhibition in Australia. The Golden 
Gate Factory employs from 250 to 400 hands, and last 
year put up 500,000 cans of fruit, although this they 
expect to double the amount. 



FRESNO PEARS. 

Messrs. Porter and Brothers, of San Jose, fruit deal- 
ers and shippers, have bought 900 boxes of pears from 
James McNeil, the Fresno orchardist, and will ship 
them direct to Chicago. One car load has been sent 
during the past week, and the balance are being 
rapidly gathered. Mr. Porter says he has bought 
pears during the past 10 years in the Sacramento val- 
ley, Napa valley, Suisun, Santa Clara, San Jose and 
elsewhere, and that these Fresno pears are the finest 
he has ever bought in the State. Mr. McNeil's trees 
are young and not in heavy bearing, but he has 
proved that he can produce as choice pears, peaches, 
prunes, apricots, nectarines, figs and grapes right here 
on the plains as can be raised on the Pacific coast. 



A VALUABLE FARM. 



[Fresno Republican.] 



The entire crop of plums on the "McNeil ranch 
found a ready sale at 3 to 4 cents per pound, many of 
the trees yielding from 200 to 300 pounds each, or at 
the rate of at least $1,000 per acre. 



FRESNO CANNED FRUITS. 



FRUIT CANNING. 

[From Visalia Delta, December 26, 1882.] 



[From Daily Evening Expositor, October 7, 1882.1 



A gentleman from Fresno was in Visalia this week 
with a view of ascertaining what inducements would 
be offered for the establishment of a cannery here. We 
did not learn the result of his inquiries, but we are 
confident that it will only be a matter of time when 
the fruit-raising industry will assume large proportions 
in this country. It may not be uninteresting to know 
something in regard to the Santa Clara valley. The 
San Jose Herald states that the canneries pay from 
$70 to $80 per ton for apricots; cherries, $100 to $120 
per ton; plums, $40 to $60; grapes, $30 to $40; straw- 
berries, about $120 per ton. These fruits are brought 
from ail parts of the State. The greater part comes 
from Alameda county. They obtain about one-fifth of 
their fruit in Santa Clara county. Much of it is ob- 
tained from Vacaville and the Sacramento valley. 
Last year the San Jose Fruit Packing Factory put up 
1,000,000 cans of fruit, 150 tons of jelly, 150 tons of 
preserves, besides jams, dried fruit and vegetables, 
etc. The principal market for all this fruit is in 
Europe and the large cities of the Eastern States. 
The fruits most desirable for canning are the early and 
late yellow Crawford and the white and yellow cling- 
stone peaches; the Moor Park and Royal apricots; the 
Bartlett pear; greengage and egg plums; the Napoleon 
and Great Bigoreau cherries; black cherries are not de- 
sirable to can. Of the grapes used, the Muscat is the 
principal variety for canning. It takes 40,000 pounds 
of fruit to run this factory 1 day, and the proprietors 
say there is no danger of overstocking with fruit if the 
orchardists will raise the kinds used for canning. 



This morning a number of citizens and business men 
were invited to the store of Louis Einstein & Co., to 
examine, partake of, and pass judgment upon samples 
of fruit put up by the Fresno Packing Company. 
Among those present were Messrs. Einstein and Gun- 
delfinger, S. Goldstein, Judge Baley, L. J. McCreary, 
Thos. E. Hughes, J. W. Hinds and W. T. Oden. The 
Superintendent of the cannery, U. J. Stevens, opened 
up cans of the first and second quality of fruit, consisting 
of apricots, pears, plums, nectarines, and white and 
yellow peaches. It all showed up finely. The syrup 
was clear as water, and palatably sweet, showing that it 
was made out of clean white sugar, and entirely free 
from the glucose adulterations too commonly used by 
canners. The general verdict of all was that the 
fruit was superior both in quality and packing, to any 
ever put into market. The white cling peaches, 
Bartlett pears and apricots, were especially com- 
mended. During the past season the company has 
put up something over 100,000 cans of fruit, and 
given employment to from 50 to 75 hands, and would 
have employed more, and put up more fruit, had 
white help been obtainable. But it was not. The 
company recognizes that its fruit will be more accept- 
able when put up by white labor, and that money paid 
to them is invested in improving and building up the 
town and the adjacent colonies. Next season the com- 
pany expects to put up at least 500,000 cans, and to 
give employment to at least 150 men, women and girls, 
during the canning season. Assuredly this institution 
is a great advantage to the town and county. It af- 
fords a ready market for all the good fruit that can be 
raised; will give employment at remunerative wages to 



FMEENO O&UMTT, GALIFQEMIA 



53 



the wives and daughters of those who are settled 
about town or on the colony lands adjacent, and it 
brings money to this county from abroad. 



PROFITS ON EVAPORATED FRUITS. 



[Santa Barbara Press.] 

During the last 2 or 3 years horticulturists have been 
experimenting with methods of evaporation, and, 
although much remains to be learned, enough is now 
known to demonstrate that the grandest industry of 
the Pacific Coast is to spring from this plan of pre- 
serving fruit. The old plan of drying fruit in the sun 
is exceedingly objectionable, because much of the sub- 
stance, as well as the flavor, is lost. While lying in 
the sun a chemical change takes place which discolors 
the fruit, alters its taste, and completely destroys its 
chief virtues. Bees, yellow jackets and flies also carry 
away much of the meat, and millers deposit their eggs 
in it to finally develop larvae. Subjected to a heat of 
140 or 160 degrees for a period of from 12 to 24 hours, 
all kinds of fruit come out of the evaporator soft, plia- 
ble and juicy, and robbed of not one single desirable 
quality except the water they contained. This is re- 
placed by soaking the fruit over night, which restores 
all the former plumpness and gives the fruit quite the 
appearance of canned goods. By the addition of the 
requisite sugar to suit the individual taste it is ready 
for cooking. It is proven, however, that the fruit 
must be thoroughly ripe before being taken from the 
tree. 5 pounds of ripe apricots make 1 pound when 
evaporated, while 7 pounds of apricots suitable for 
canning are required to make 1. The immense 
profit to the fruit-grower is readily understood when 
it is stated that evaporated apricots bring from 25 to 
27^ cents per pound, less the labor of evaporating. 
Those having experience say the fruit can be taken 
from the tree, evaporated and placed in boxes ready 
for shipping at 1 cent per pound of green fruit. 



LETTER FROM U. J. STEVENS. 



Office of the 
Fresno Fruit Packing Company, 

U. J. Stevens, Superintendent. 

Fresno, April 11, 1883. 

Mr. M. Theo. Kearney, San Franckco : 

Dear Sir — In your favor of April 6th you ask my 
opinion of fruit-growing in this county, also of varieties 
and quality. One season of packing fruit here, in 
comparison with past experience in other localities, has 
led me to conclude that no finer fruit can be raised in 
any part of California than here, and I might add that 
it is even superior to that raised in older and better 
known portions of our State. That also was the deci- 
sion of competent judges at the horticultural fair re- 
cently held in Dubuque, Iowa. Both the climate and 
soil seem to be peculiarly adapted to the culture of 
peaches, apricots, pears, nectarines, plums and quinces. 
The trees mature much sooner, and commence bearing 
at least one year earlier than in other parts of this 
State. 

The qualities in which the fruit excel are found in 
their superior flavor, size and firmness, the latter 
quality being an important requisite in canning. In 
the above mentioned fruit the nectarine seems to take 
precedence among our orchardists, as their energies are 
particularly directed towards its perfection, and they 
may justly be proud of their past efforts. Certainly 



there is no fruit can equal it for beauty, lusciousness 
and delicacy of flavor, especially the new white variety. 
The petite, or French prune, does remarkably well 
here, and will undoubtedly, in the near future, bring 
in a handsome revenue. Cherries, and some varieties 
of small fruits (currants and gooseberries), do not yet 
seem to flourish so well as anticipated, but the country 
is in its infancy yet in fruit-growing. With the im- 
petus given to fruit raising by the establishing of a 
cannery here, and with other facilities for disposing of 
fruit, I feel sanguine in predicting that still greater 
exertions will be made to improve the quality of fruit 
and produce it in unlimited quantities. 

Respectfully yours, 

U. J. Stevens. 



CALIFORNIA WINES. 



[From the S. F. Chronicle, March 16, 1883.] 



As one of the results of many years' residence in 
America, Mr. Pulston, a conservative member of the 
British Parliament, has gained certain noteworthy 
ideas of this country's industrial progress. Especially 
has he been impressed with the superiority of Califor- 
nia's wines. He has affirmed that the importers of 
Cologne have already found that California samples of 
red and white wines were superior in taste to French 
wines and admirably adapted for the German market, 
and, further, that if the California wine-makers could 
compete with France in Germany, it was probable 
that she could also do so in England. 

The New York World takes exception to Mr. Pul- 
ston's statements, and, in attempting to controvert 
them, falls itself into error. While graciously con- 
ceding that " California is admirably adapted to wine 
culture and that some of the red wines made there are 
in every way excellent," the editor nullifies even the 
half-hearted praise by saying that it is extremely 
doubtful whether the whole product of the State 
amounts to 5,000,000 gallons. It is a euphemism to 
call this a misapprehension when made in the columns 
of a paper published in the same city with Bonforfs 
Wine and Spirit Circular. The fact is, and it is 
easily obtainable, that the vintage in this State for 
1881 amounted to 11,000,000 gallons, while for 1882 
the wine yield reached 10,000,000 gallons, the former 
year being exceptionally good, the latter being one of 
average productiveness. 

The World also asserts that most of the product is 
consumed on the spot. The answering fact to this is 
that during 1881 the wine shipments from California 
to New Orleans, St. Louis and New York amounted to 
2,750,000 gallons, that quantity increasing last year to 
3,000,000 gallons. The local consumption in 1882 
amounted to 4,000,000 gallons, leaving a balance of 
6,000,000 gallons to be shipped and stored. 

Next, it is declared impossible that California wines 
should take a place for years to come in the European 
markets. We of this State are naturally inclined to 
be sanguine, perhaps, but our hopes are not of that 
ultra self-complacent order which would lead us to ex- 
pect the impossible. It is certainly true that, directly, 
California wines have not seriously influenced the 
European markets: it is equally true that indirectly 
they have, for the past decade, been a disturbing ele- 
ment to the European producers. Some 50,000 gallons 
of our wines were last year placed on the European 
markets, and while this may fairly be considered a 
" sample," it is a sample that has set the French Ind 
German vineyardists to head-shaking. 

The extent of the great indirect influence, however, 
may be gathered from the carefully prepared tables 
which are presented in another portion of this issue. 



54 



FRE8NQ COUNTY, CAZIFQENIA, 



They tell the plain, unvarnished, statistical story of a 
decrease in the imports of foreign wines into this 
country and into this State which is astonishing, and 
which should he scanned by every one interested in 
the advancement of home industries. In these tables, 
and in the article in which they are set, it is indis- 
putably shown that, notwithstanding the increase of 
population during the past 10 years, the exports from 
the principal wine-making countries of Europe have 
steadily decreased, that diminution being especially 
and peculiarly marked in California. It is shown, 
also, that while the quantity has lessened the quality 
has improved, the safe deduction being that the import 
trade is being slowly and surely narrowed down to 
that of high-priced wines, and that the low-grade 
wines are practically excluded from the market. It is 
here that the indirect influence of the California wines 
is seen upon the European market, for the fact is so 
evident as to preclude all necessity of argument that 
what Europe has been kept from sending us California 
has more than supplied. 

Again, the World affirms that the wine-makers of 
California are crippled for want of capital and that the 
growth of the industry is unpromisingly slow. To 
this it need only be answered that the vineyards of 
California cover 110,000 acres, half in full bearing; 
that planting goes on at the rate of 30,000 acres a 
year, and that the return for the capital invested is 
considered as eminently satisfactory. 

That we want experience there is no gainsay, but 
time is bringing that, and every year improvements 
and experiments are being made. The cellars are 
being enlarged and a resting-stock is being set aside; 
the art of blending is being learned; the poorer vari- 
eties of vines are being cast aside and the better 
ones nurtured; the past has been fruitful in lessons 
and the future is bright with promise. The Califor- 
nia wine trade is a great industry that is attracting 
attention all over the world; that is one of the chief 
stones in our firm foundation of prosperity, and 
there is the smirch of ill-grace in a newspaper of a 
sister State attempting to belittle this industry in 
combating the graceful attempt of an Englishman to 
extol it. 



CALIFORNIA WINES. 



[From the S. F. Chronicle, April 16, 1883.] 

Henri Grosjean, a commissioner sent out by the 
French Department of Agriculture to collect statis- 
tics on that subject in the United States, having 
investigated the viticultural situation in California, 
declares that our prospects for the production of 
wine are of the best. He declares that when the 
irrigation problem is settled, San Joaquin valley 
" from end to end will become the France of Amer- 
ica—the vineyard of the world. " He says he has 
" tasted Port, Muscatel and Madeira hardly to be ex- 
celled," and that our costly, sweet, heavy wines are 
as good as those of France. We may add to this 
that California Ports, Sherries, red and white wines 
are now almost universally used in this city in prefer- 
ence to imported articles. M. Grosjean speaks highly 
of the sandy land of Fresno county for viticulture 
when it is once opened to irrigation. Such soils are 
coming more and more into use in France of late years, 
because they are hardly at all subject to phylloxera. 
The hill regions are being abandoned there by vine- 
yardists because they are more than all others liable 
to the ravages of this destructive insect. On this sub- 
ject we quote from, this French Government Com- 
missioner : 

"The advantage of the San Joaquin valley is that 



the snowy peaks of the Sierra Nevada will furnish 
an inexhaustible water supply for irrigation; and this 
very water, in connection with your sandy loams, 
gives you the necessary means of successfully combat- 
ing the phylloxera, that terrible scourge now destroy- 
ing the wealth of France. Only the most valuable 
vineyards can afford to use chemicals. Submersion on 
adobe soil is the only practical remedy. On sandy 
soil, where the insect cannot travel, there is no danger. 
You have both these conditions here in San Joaquin 
valley. In my own country no more vineyards are 
planted on hillsides, as they used to be. Our form- 
erly most worthless sandy lands are now found to 
be the best adapted to grapes, and their price has 
increased enormously." 

This is worth more than all the counter-opinions 
of such papers as the World, whose conductors do 
not have a practical understanding of the subject. 
There is vine land enough in Fresno alone to produce 
100,000,000 gallons a year in the next 20 years, and 
it is being very rapidly occupied and planted in 
vines, the average production of which, at 5 years, 
is said to be over 4 tons to the acre. 



A WINE EXPERT. 



[From tlie Fresno Republican, April 14, 1883.] 



Eugene Morel, formerly of the Edge Hill vineyard, 
Napa county, and one of the prominent wine-makers 
of California, was visiting Fresno the early part of 
this week. Being a countr3 r man and friend of the 
French Agricultural Commissioner, Henri Grosjean, 
he had received from him several private letters in 
regard to this county and its eminent adaptability 
for the production of wine and raisins, and came to 
see for himself. He confessed upon his arrival that 
the real estate men and wine-makers of the northern 
counties had prejudiced him considerably against this 
county. A few days of investigation, however, was 
sufficient to dissipate any doubt about Fresno becom- 
ing a wine district that will, in a short time, not be 
surpassed by even Portugal or Spain, countries with 
which Mr. Morel is well acquainted. He is so well 
pleased that he admits its superiority to Xapa county. 
and the probabilities are that he will shortly return to 
Fresno and locate permanently. 



REVOLUTION IN THE CALIFORNIA 
GRAPE CROP. 

[3an Francisco Corr. of the New York Tribune.] 



Time was when grapes were almost unsaleable if re- 
mote from the large cities in the State, and the un- 
palatable Mission grape was the leading variety. Now 
there is an eager demand for the product of all the 
vineyards, and shrewd ranchmen are planting many 
thousand acres in the foothills with choice imported 
varieties which have been proved to grow well and 
bear abundantly on certain soils. The wine manufac- 
turers declare that they are unable to till their orders 
from the East, and several of the largest firms offt 
make contracts with vineyard owners for 10 years 
the present rates. As the ruling price is $20 a ton for 
ordinary grapes, it will be seen that there is a bright 
outlook for the man who has 50 acres in vines. 



FISEgW® C9UNTT, @AMF@BMIAi 



55 



AMERICA'S INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS. 



THE CONTROL OF THE BREADSTUFFS MARKET — THE 
SUPERIORITY OF CALIFORNIA'S RED AND WHITE 

WINES. 



[Specially telegraphed to the Bulletin.] 



New York, March 13, 1883.— The Herald says : 
There is one member of the British Parliament, at 
least, who has an adequate idea of the far-reaching 
influences of the industrial progress of the United 
States. This is Mr. Puleston, conservative member 
for Devonport, whose residence in Washington for 
many years, and intimate business connection with 
this country have enabled him to make special study 
of the causes and tendencies of American prosperity. 
He finds that not only is the grain market of Eng- 
land in American hands, but Russia has been sup- 
planted as a food producer for Central Europe. Amer- 
ican breadstuff's now are going to France and Germany, 
the system of transportation being so complete that 
grain freights from Chicago to Hamburg are lower 
than from Pesth to Hamburg. At Flume, the great 
Hungarian exporting port, American grain is now 
handled, and Russian alcohol distillers are importing 
American maize. The wine importers at Cologne had 
already found that California samples of red and 
white wine were superior in taste to French wines and 
admirably adapted for the German market, and if the 
California wine-makers could compete with France in 
Germany, it was probable that she could also do so in 
England. He foresees that one of the effects of the 
commercial treaty between the United States and 
Mexico will be the transfer of the coffee trade from 
Brazil, and this will have a disturbing effect upon 
British trade for the settlements. The coffees used in 
America have been mainly affected through English 
merchandise. 



DO WE PLASTER OUR WINES. 



In last evening's Bulletin the following dispatch 
from Washington appears : 

Consul Warren of Dusseldorf, Germany, in an official 
communication to the State Department, says : "As 
efforts are being made to encourage the sale of Cali- 
fornia wines in this part of Germany, I undertook, in 
conjunction with my friend, Professor Stutzer, Director 
of the German Agricultural Experimental Station for 
the Rhenish Provinces, to chemically investigate 2 
qualities of wine which I purchased from a wine house 
in Cologne, namely, Reisling (white) and ZinfandeJ 
(red), from St. Helena, Cal. According to Professor 
Stutzer's opinion the California Reisling is a good wine, 
having a superior taste and well fitted for importation 
into Germany. It contains a high percentage of 
alcohol, and it could be used by wine dealers for mix- 
ing with the German ligh ter- wines, or be drunk alone 
as a good and strong wine. There is not the least 
doubt in my mind but that this wine could be brought 
into very great demand in this country, as the Ger- 
mans like its taste, and the only objection that they 
could find against it would be in the price. The red 
Zinfandels cannot be so well recommended for impor- 
tation on account of there being too large an amount of 
sulphate of lime used in the preparation of it, which 
addition is very much disliked in Germany. The 
bitartrate of potash contained in this wine forms, with 
the sulphate of lime, tartrate of lime, and a mixture of 
sulphates exist largely in the wine. They exert an 
injurious physiological influence on the human organ- 
ism, and, therefore, it is not advisable to mix sulphate 



of lime with red wine that is intended to be sold in 
Germany. The importation of French red wines into 
Germany is very large, and if proper attention is given 
in the preparation of California Zinfandel, I can see 
no reason why America could not gain a good propor- 
tion of this trade." 

Now, it is not new to us that good Reisling'wine is 
made in California, and that it contains all the quali- 
ties above described, but it is certainly news to most 
Californians that sulphate of lime (gypsum, plaster of 
Paris) is used in the manufacture of any of the wines 
of this State. It is a well-known fact that it is a very 
common practice in many parts of France, and in 
Spain, to throw a handful or two, and sometimes 
more, of gypsum upon the fermenting mass in the vat, 
and there are those who condemn its use and those 
who uphold it, but it is pretty well established that 
a too free use of it produces stomachic disturbances 
after drinking the wine. 

We cannot doubt that those gentlemen found in the 
Zinfandel what they say they did, but was that sul- 
phate of lime added when the wine was made in Napa 
valley ? Let some St. Helena man rise and explain if 
he, or anybody else, ever heard before that we plaster 
our wines. E. H. R. 

December 22, 1882. 



WINE YIELD OF FRANCE IN 1881. 



[From the Fresno Republican, January 13, 1883.] 



Mr. Henry Grosjean, the Viticultural Commissioner 
of the French Government, has favored us with the 
latest issues of the Bulletin d' Minestere de V Agricul- 
ture, corresponding somewhat to the reports of the 
Agricultural Department at Washington. From the 
statistical tables of the wine product of France for 
1881, we glean the following: "The phylloxera is 
spreading rajndly over the country in spite of all pow- 
erful chemicals used for its extermination. Only in 
places where submersion can be resorted to, or where 
the nature of the soil prevents the thriving of the in- 
sect, the diminution of the wine product is less 
marked. The country is divided into 10 districts, and 
the quantity of wine produced in each is given first 
for an average year, then for 1881. In the district of 
the southeast an average year yielded about 450,000,- 
000 gallons, while the vintage of 1881 was only 142,- 
000,000, or less than one-third of an ordinary yield. 
The total of the average French vintage is stated to 
be not less than 1,662,919,548 gallons, while the yield 
for 1881 was but 1,022,019,841, or in round numbers, 
650,000,000 gallons less than an average yield. We 
further learn that about 4,400,000 acres are planted to 
vines, the yield of each acre being about 222 gallons. 
The yield of a Fresno vineyard is not less than 1,000 
gallons per acre, and certain varieties of grapes will 
yield 2,600 gallons per acre. Under such circum- 
stances it is not likely that vineyarding will be unsuc- 
cessful in this county." 



MORE WINE IMPORTED THAN EX- 
PECTED. 



[London Daily Telegraph.] 



It has long been notorious that all the wine made or 
concocted in France is not French wine. Many will, 
however, be surprised to learn that, in the land of 
the vine, the cost of imports, chiefly from Spain, ex- 
ceeds the total received for exports to the whole world. 



56 



FRESNO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, 



The quantity derived from the kingdom of Alfonso, 
this year, has nearly equalled the total exported from 
French ports, or sent across the land frontiers. Dur- 
ing the rirst 10 months of 1882, France paid no less, 
in round numbers, than £10,800,000 for wines coming 
from abroad, whereas she received only £S, 300,000 for 
the amount sent out of the country. The growth of 
the demand for external supplies has been alike start- 
ling and rapid, since in 5 years the sum paid for 
them has sprung up from less than £1,000,000 in 1877 
to upward of £10,000,000 during the present year. 
The progress recorded in the statistical returns is most 
remarkable, the cost more than doubling each year 
since 1S77. These figures are, in some degree, a meas- 
ure of the devastation wrought in the vineyards by 
the phylloxera. It is worth notice that the importa- 
tions from Spain have steadily increased year by year, 
while those from Italy have declined. Another fact 
disclosed by the returns is that so far, during' 1880, 
England has received 45 per cent, of all exports, the 
whole of which, we need not say, cannot be pure 
French wine. 



CONDITION OF FRENCH VINEYARDS. 



[S. F. Bulletin, April 23, 1883.] 



At a recent meeting of the committee appointed by 
the Minister of Agriculture to report upon the condi- 
tion of the French vineyards, M. Tisseraud, the Di- 
rector of Agriculture, gave some very interesting in- 
formation as to the ravages of the phylloxera up to 
the present time. Nearly 2,000,000 acres of vines 
have been destroyed, and 1,500,000 acres more have 
been attacked and are affected in their yield. About 
50,000 acres have, within the last year or two, been 
replanted, and the young vines dosed with sulphate of 
carbon, while 30,000 acres newly planted have been 
protected by submersion; 40,000 acres more have been 
planted with American vines; but though there has, 
within the last year or so, been a slight increase in the 
area of newly planted vineyards, the total is very 
trifling compared to what has been destroyed. M. 
Tisseraud mentions as an encouraging circumstance 
that vine-growers are forming many associations for 
the purpose of conducting experiments as to the best 
mode of combating the phylloxera, that these associa- 
tions now have 12,338 members, and that they received 
last year subsidies amounting to $215,000 from the 
Government. The committee has decided that no 
remedy has yet been discovered entitling the inventor 
to the premium of $60,000 offered by the Government 
some years ago, but recommends the use of sulpho- 
carbonates and the submersion of the vines as pallia- 
tives of the disease. The cultivation of the American 
vine is authorized in 23 arrondissements, and it was 
mentioned incidentally in the course of the meeting 
that 17 fresh districts were invaded last year. 



WINE MANUFACTURE IN FRANCE. 



[From the London Times.] 



Drinkers of French wines, and they are many, will 
be interested in the following statement of analyses of 
wines made at the Municipal Laboratory of Paris, for 
although all wines and liquors imported into France 
are subject to analysis at the Customs before delivery 
to the importers, so that if found adulterated they are 
not admitted to entry, there is no inspection or ex- 
amination whatever of wines exported. According to 
the following figures it would be well for consumers if 



some examination did exist. In 1881, 3,001 samples 
were analyzed, the result being that 279 were found to 
be good, 991 passable, and 1,731 bad, while in the 
first 5 months of the present year 1,869 samples 
were analyzed, out of which 372 were good, 683 pass- 
able, and 814 bad, 145 of these latter being pro- 
nounced decidedly injurious. The American Consul 
in Paris calls the attention of his Government to the 
manner in which French wines are adulterated other- 
wise than by mixing those of poorer quality with 
stronger wines or brandy, such mixing not being neces- 
sarily prejudicial to health. A liquid is largely sold 
as wine which is manufactured of water, vinegar and 
logwood, with a tenth part of common wine from the 
south of France to cover the fraud. Not only is wine 
falsified by adding cider, sugar, molasses, tartaric, 
acetic, or tannic acids, sulphuric acid, lime, alum, bit- 
ter almonds, leaves of the cherry-laurel, etc., but it is 
largely manufactured without the slightest pretense of 
being associated with the grape. The result of the 
fermentation of the juice of the grape is imitated bj 
means of fermentation with water of sugared sul 
stances, such as syrup of fecula, dried fruits and raw 
sugar, or of juniper berries, corriander seeds and fresh 
rye bread. After fermentation the liquor is racked 
off, and if it is not sufficiently colored, an infusion of 
red beet or myrtle berries is added. In order to cor- 
rect the acidity, some makers are unscrupulous enough 
to use litharge, thus affording to the drinkers the 
probable chance of an attack of colic. In the depart- 
ments of Herault, Pyrenees and Var, lime is used to 
heighten the color of the wine and reduce the lees, 
but by so doing chemical changes supervene with the 
effect of a purgative and even corrosive nature to the 
liquid. Alum is principally used to produce the styp- 
tic, which belongs to Bordeaux wine. The coloring 
matters generally used are dwarf and black elderber- 
ries, myrtle and phytolacca berries, Brazil and Cam- 
peachy wood, beet juice, rose mallow, cochineal, fuch- 
sine or aniline red, and more especially grenat, the 
residue of the fabrication of fuchsine, of red or violet 
aniline, and rose aniline salts. Some of the coloring 
wine tinctures sold under fancy names contain arsenic. 
The most successful of all these coloring matters is 
the brown grenat, which imitates as much as possibL 
the natural color of wine, while its elements are ver* 
nearly the same. The logwood appears to be most in 
favor in the Paris manufacture of wine, as it gives 
young wine the color of the old, while beet, fuchsine, 
and cochineal are the usual agents in the south of 
France, and the elderberry is most used in Portugal 
and Spain. This latter offers to the consumer the ad- 
vantage of being of a purgative character, and thus 
enables him to kill two birds with one stone. 



WINE DRINKING IN FRANCE. 



Mr. Fulton writes to the Baltimore American in 
summing up the experience of his European trip this 
summer: ' 'Good wine can seldom be obtained at either 
hotels or restaurants in Europe. Americans who have 
followed the European practice of taking wine at al- 
most every meal, make the general complaint that the 
wine furnished them almost everywhere has been of 
the most inferior quality. Many of them have been 
accustomed to drinking foreign wines at home, and 
they are strongly of the opinion that the good quali- 
ties are exported and the inferior alone kept for home 
consumption. But the fact is that the adulteration 
of wine is carried on to such an extent, especially in 
Paris, that what is called 'vin ordinaire' has very 
little of the juice of the grape in it. Indeed, it is 
scarcely possible for all the vineyards in Europe to 
supply pure wine sufficient to meet the demand for 



FMEMNB € J @WMT J T t CALIFOMMA 



57 



consumption. ' Everybody drinks 2 or 3 bottles 
of wine per day in Paris, and you will see even the 
scavenger and chiffonier sitting on the curb-stone, 
partaking of their mid-day meals with a bottle of wine 
to wash it down. At the Bon Marche" dry goods es- 
tablishment all the employes are fed in the extensive 
dining rooms on the upper story of the establishment. 
They number from 1,200 to 1,500 men and women. 
We were shown through the culinary department, 
and were startled at the immense wine-room, which 
contained many thousand bottles. A large force of 
men was at work washing and filling bottles, and we 
were assured that the daily consumption of the estab- 
lishment exceeded 4,000 bottles. By the side of every 
plate at the long dinner-tables was a bottle of wine, 
and these had to ;be filled 3 times every day. 
Wine is a part of the daily food, and most of it 
seemed as harmless as water. Wine in America has 
an intoxicating quality, but what we met with in 
Europe at table d'hotes would scarcely intoxicate a 
child." 



COMPLIMENT TO CALIFORNIA WINES. 



[Specially telegraphed to the Bulletin.] 



New York, May 15, 1883. — Henry Grosjean, the 
French Commissioner of Agriculture to the United 
States, who has been here for 2 years, sails for home 
Wednesday next. He prophesies a great future for 
California wine, and thinks we cheat ourselves by 
using foreign labels on our good wines. 

He yesterday visited Castle Garden and critically 
examined the arrangements for receiving the number 
of immigrants now arriving at the Government land- 
ing. He believed the French immigrants would not 
find it agreeable to settle in Manitoba, Minnesota and 
the Northwestern states, all of which he conceived un- 
fit for French settlers. He thought the northern 
climate of this country was somewhat like that of 
Normandy, in France, while California is the State 
which, he believed, would admirably suit Frenchmen. 
It was more like Marseilles. 



THE FRESNO FOOTHILLS. 



LATENT MINERAL AND AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES. 



[Correspondence of the Chronicle.] 



Coarse Gold Gulch, 1 

Fresno Co. (Cal.), May 1, 1883. J 
Fresno county is one of the largest of the State, 
extending from the summit of the Sierras to the coast 
range, and from Merced and Mariposa on the north, 
to Kern and Tulare on the south. Along its eastern 
boundary, or that portion embracing the foot-hills of 
the Sierra Nevada mountains, lies a region of undis- 
covered mineral wealth and agricultural possibilities, 
neither of which have received any great amount of 
attention. The early influx of prospectors to the 
coast brought its pro rata of the " pick-and-pan " 
brigade to this isolated region. An honest and dis- 
honest, shrewd, keen-witted mob, they came and went, 
leaving monuments of their industry along gulch and 
ravine in heaps of gravel and sand. There is now 
some fine gold being sluiced and rocked, and occa- 
sionally a nugget of considerable value is found. The 
outcropping of quartz, in many places gold-bearing 
from the surface, is almost continuous from the Fresno 
to the San Joaquin river. A few quartz mills of small 
capacity are being run upon ores already extracted. 
Many horse arastras are running with good success, 



but unless the ores thus worked are of great richness, 
nothing but a living results from this mode of reduc- 
tion. Thus the mineral wealth of Fresno county is 
still an unknown quantity and awaits an investment 
of capital. 

Many of the old forty-niners tarried here. Honest, 
unambitious, discouraged, they settled in the sunny, 
well-irrigated valleys, where they now enjoy valuable 
homes, supplied with many of the material comforts, 
besides a numerous following of sons and daughters: 
Others came later, availing themselves of the excel- 
lent facilities for stock-raising. Now their sheep, 
goats, cattle and swine range almost literally upon a 
"thousand hills." Frugal and industrious, still striv- 
ing for greater increase, hardly keeping pace with our 
civilization, they are sure to wake some morning in 
the future with a wealth they are neither able to use 
or enjoy. There are other classes, but they are not 
distinctive. Many are striving in a small way to open 
up the various mining prospects, with little means but 
measureless hope. 

The climate here in the foothills is one of the most 
healthful of which I have any knowledge. There is 
no physician within many miles, and the cemetery of 
this vicinity contains but two graves of persons who 
came to their deaths from constitutional causes. The 
seasons are neither too hot nor too cold, and there is 
seldom a failure of crops from lack of rain. Here, on 
the southern hillside exposures, can be grown all 
tropical fruits, and homes for the enjoyment of cul- 
tured wealth and refinement will yet be founded. 



GOLD. 



[Fresno Expositor, March 14, 1883.] 



Perhaps one of the richest mines ever discovered in 
this county is the Morning Star mine, owned by 
Messrs. Hildreth, Wheeler & Co. It is located in 
Free Gold Mining District, and was accidentally dis- 
covered by an old miner and prospector named R. Mc- 
Collough. Mr. McCollough discovered a piece of rick 
float rock, and concluding that it must have worked 
down from some place above, followed up the side of 
the mountain in which the mine is located, and soon 
had the satisfaction of discovering a small, but well- 
defined vein of very rich gold-bearing quartz. The 
news of his discovery was soon spread around, and in 
the course of a few weeks Thomas Hildreth purchased 
a half interest in it for himself and his friend Wheeler. 
Since then work has been prosecuted vigorously on the 
mine. Two shafts have been sunk — one to a depth of 
about 40 feet; and the other some 80 feet, and a well- 
defined ledge varying from 8 to 12 inches in width, 
has been found all the way down, and the ore con- 
tinues very rich. The formation of the country is a 
sort of conglomerate, there being bastard granite, 
porphry and slate. The vein has been traced for a 
distance of over 2 miles. Twelve tons of the ore were 
recently worked in an arasta, and yielded over $700 in 
gold, or at the rate of at about $60 per ton. It is to 
be hoped that the mine will hold out as well as it 
promises. 



NEW VINEYARD COMPANY. 



[San Francisco Alia, March 8, 1883.] 



Articles of incorporation of the Marks Vineyard 
company of Fresno county were filed yesterday. 
Directors— T. B. Valentine, S. S. Tilton, Joseph O'Con- 
nor, John Swett and James D. Ruggles. Capital 
stock, $125,000, in 600 shares of $200 each. The sum 
of $38,000 has been subscribed. 



58 



FRE$M@ eOVW 



GAME IN CALIFORNIA. 



FARMERS AND SPORTSMEN DISCUSS THE FISH AND (JAME QUESTION. 



[Special to the Examiner, 

.Sacramento, February 13, 1883. — The sportsmen and farmers compromised their quarrel last night at the meeting 
of the Senate and Assembly Committees on Fish and Game. One has to attend a meeting of sportsmen and agricul- 
turists to realize how antagonistic are the ideas of the scope and utility of field sports that are entertained by the man 
who hunts for recrea- 
tion and the man who 
sits under his own vine 
and rig tree and thinks 
only of game birds as 
pests that may decrease 
his crops, and should 
be ruthlessly extermi- 
nated. Any one who 
looks at our markets 
teeming with game and 
compares the wealth of 
the poor man's larder in 
California with the com- 
parative poverty of the 
rich man's kitchen in 
Europe, will be more 
competent to appreciate 
the benefits to be de- 
rived from an abun- 
pance of game. Wild 
fowl forms an important 
part of the food of a 
large portion of the pop- 
ulation of California. 
The quantities of ducks, 
geese and other wild 
birds killed for the mar- 
kets, not to speak of 
those shot for private 
distribution, are pro- 
digious. In many parts 
of California the hunter 
can find a sportsman's 
paradise. One need not 
depart much from the 
beaten tracks to find 
great tracts of land as 
bountifully supplied 
with game as the do- 
mains of European 
nobles guarded by corps 
of keepers and doubly 
protected by the rigor- 
ous statutes of the 
feudal age. The East- 
ern or European tourist, 
looking out from the 
windows of the express 
train, as it dashes dowm 
from Sacramento to 
[Benicia, sees with won- 
der the ponds on each 
side of the iron road 
dotted with wild ducks, 
and wide acres of marsh 
covered with geese. 
The wings of the count- 
less thousands of birds 
fill the air with a noise 
that resembles distant 

thunder, and the heavens become almost clouded as flock after flock rises, until the whole feathered creation seems 
to be in motion. The sight is a rare one to any but the Californian, who, accustomed to the prodigality of nature in 
his new land, views even phenomena without admiration. The strange spectacle that presents itself during the winter 
months on the marshes of Suisun bay is not more remarkable than that which would be offered to the amazement 
of the naturalist if human kin could but penetrate the yellow waters of the great rivers that roll ceaselessly from the 




BIRD'S - EYE VIEW OF S. 



f, CALMFOMltitA. 



59 



nountains to the ocean. For months the swift current of the Sacramento is stemmed hy school after school of fish 
;hat rivals in the number of its members the great flocks of wild fowl on the shores. Salmon and other fish in millons 
Dass up from the sea until the markets grow glutted by the energy of the patient fishermen and the tables of the fish- 
nonger creak in unison with the racks of the game-dealer. Thousands upon thousands of salmon perish in the attempt 
,0 reach the head waters of the great rivers, and still the supply seems undiminished, and the proud and careless 
Jalifornian, confident in the boundless resources of his wonderful land, thinks, as he sees the wealth of stream 
md marsh poured out on the markets, that laws for the protection of fish and game are a dubious 
superfluity. 




LEGISLATIVE 
GOSSIP. 



RESULTS OF THE IRRIGA- 
TION committee's TRIP 

TO ERESNO AND TU- 
LARE. 



[Special Correspondence of 
the S. F. Bulletin.] 



Sacramento, Febru- 
ary 13, 1883.— The As- 
sembly Committee on 
Water Rights, Irriga- 
tion and Drainage, 
which last week made 
a flying* trip to the 
lower part of the San 
Joaquin valley, has re- 
turned, and on Saturday 
made a report. As this 
document gives in a con- 
densed form the results 
of the observation of a 
set of practical men up- 
on a question of the 
most vital moment to a 
great many people, it 
is worthy of more than 
a passing mention. The 
text of the report is 
subjoined : 

' ' We have visited the 
counties of Fresno and 
Tulare, in which irriga- 
tion is carried on more 
extensively than any 
other portion of the 
State, and examined 
the canals and ditches 
constructed and used 
within an area of land 
lying in these two 
counties, some 70 miles 
in length, running north 
and south, and some 
30 miles in breadth, 
running east and west, 
making 2,100 square 
miles, all susceptible of 
irrigation and unsur- 
passed in fertility. 

"All this area is cov- 
ered by a sandy loam, 
which yields readily to 
the farmer's implements 
and does not cohere 
after flooding from the 
anals. This land, without irrigation, is for the most part a sterile plain, and at best yields but a light crop of wild 
rasses, and is of nominal value. The climate of this region is of an exceedingly dry character, the average rainfall per 
nnum being only 4^ inches, hence the farmer cannot rely upon the rainfall to supply the necessary moisture to his crops, 
t Ve observed, upon examination of numerous canals and. ditches, that but little labor is required to cause the diverted 
rater to flow in almost any desired direction. The Sierra supplies the rivers flowing therefrom with an abundance of 



I FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA. 



60 



FRESNO COUNTY, GALITOMNIA, 




SAN FRANCISCO HOTELS. 



For the information of the capitalist or tourist intending to visit California who may have douhts concerning the hotel accommodations 
to be found in this part of the world, it may be said that there are in San Francisco five hotels of the first-class, besides a number of lesser 
grades. Of the first-class, views are given of two—" The Baldwin " and " Palace." 

"The Baldwin," as may be seen, is a very large building, handsomely designed, and is finished inside and furnished in an elegant and 
elaborate manner, and regardless of expense. In one corner of this building is the Baldwin Theater, which, in arrangement and finish, is a 
model theater for any city. 

" The Palace," however, is the pride of San Francisco, and is probably the finest and most remarkable hotel in the world. It is owned 
by Hon. William Sharon, U. S. Senator for Nevada, and is said to have cost, including furniture, between five and six millions of dollars. It 
is 120 feet high, and covers over three acres of ground. There are over one thousand rooms in the building, (one room is numbered 1,015) and 
twelve hundred guests can be comfortably accommodated at one time. Most of the rooms are 20 feet square— >none less than 16 feet square— 
and a closet and bath adjoins every room. The grand central court is 144 x 84 feet, with a glass roof, and has a carriage entrance of 44 feet in 
width, expanding to 52 feet inside. The markets of San Francisco are famous for the great variety to be found there every month in the year 
to tempt the epicure: and, with cooks that are unexcelled, there is nothing left to be desired. 




BALDWIN HOTEL, SAN FRANCISCO. 



FBBSN® 'C&WKfTT, €ME1F&MNIA 



61 



water during the season when most needed. The 
colonies and other large irrigated settlements of Fresno 
county, and the large irrigated area in the Mussel 
Slough country impressed us with the belief that 
there is no portion of California more fertile than 
this under the system of irrigation now in vogne 
there. 

"Both of these counties present every evidence of 
agricultural thrift. All the irrigable lands command 
as much as $50 per acre. In the colonies we found 
colonists making comfortable livings for their families 
on 20-acre lots. Of the 21,000 people in those 2 
counties, your committee estimate that fully seven- 
tenths derive their living directly or indirectly from 
the lands now under irrigation. These counties with- 
out irrigation are of little value to the agriculturist; 
with irrigation they are capable of supporting a very 
dense population. 

NECESSITY FOR AN IRRIGATION SYSTEM. 

"In the Central California colony there are upwards 
of 100 persons to the square mile, and upon this area 
they wholly derive subsistence. We found upon ex- 
amination that these counties are already more or less 
under the influence of the irrigable canals, even miles 
away from the ditches, the subterranean waters having 
risen to meet the surface waters carried outward by 
percolation and capillary attraction, and in conse- 
quence thereof less water will be required each suc- 
ceeding year for a given area. 

"No reservoirs have yet been constructed, but we 
believe, by the exercise of due care to prevent waste, 
that the natural supply from the streams will prove 
sufficient to supply the country herein referred to for 
some time to come. 

"We found upon examination that the bed of Kings 
river is composed of an all-absorbing sand, and that 
many cubic feet of water would be required at the 
foothills to continue the stream 25 miles below. 

"It is the deliberate conclusion of your committee 
that for these counties — and in fact for the south half 
of this State — a system of irrigation is indispensable. 
That without it the progress of the State must be 
fatally retarded. Therefore, we earnestly recommend 
that such legislation be immediately had as will pro- 
tect what has already been done, and render more per- 
fect the system now in operation, and such other legis- 
lation as shall guarantee the greatest good to the 
greatest number." 



IOWA LAND AND FRUIT COMPANY. 



[Fresno Republican, Feb. 7, 1883.] 



Prof. Martin, general manager of the Iowa Land and 
Fruit company, informs us that work is going on 
finely on the company's newly purchased tract near 
Fowler's Switch. In a single week 3 miles of canal 
were constructed. A large tract is now prepared, and 
planting will be commenced at once. At least 25,- 
000 raisin grape cuttings will be planted this spring, 
part of them in place and the rest in nursery. . . 



the slope. He gives it as his opinion that the output 
of the gold mines would be about the same as they had 
been for a number of years — between $18,000,000 and 
$20,000,000. It was a mistaken idea — he says — to sup- 
pose that there was business depression on the Pacific 
coast. Immense quantities of coal and iron had been 
discovered in Washington Territory and Oregon, and 
that would be a new source of wealth. The wheat 
crop this year he considered as worth $40,000,000; but 
in spite of the grain, the minerals and valuable lumber, 
he considered much of the future wealth of California, 
would be derived from grapes and raisins. Every year 
the wine manufacturers are becoming more and more 
expert, and consequently are making a better quality 
of wine, and in like proportion the prejudice against 
California wine is rapidly dying out. For ourselves, 
we most emphatically endorse Professor Price's 
opinions, and deeply regret there are no more like him 
to go abroad and represent the affairs of California 
and the Pacific coast generally in their true light. 



HAY. 



[Fresno Expositor, Dec. 29, 1882.] 

There is no one article or product grown in this county 
that commands such remunerative prices as hay. 
There is always a demand, and each year, as new set- 
tlers have arrived, the demand has been increased. 
There is always more or less work with teams to do on 
a tract before it is ready for planting in vines or trees. 
The land must be leveled, checks marked out, levees 
thrown up, ditches made, etc. To do this the horses 
must be fed, and every succeeding tract sold, increases 
the demand for hay. This year, in addition to the 
ranch work, there are some 200 teams at work on the 
Upper San Joaquin canal ; the Kings river and 
Fresno Canal company are doing an immense amount of 
work on their ditch; then there is the '76 Canal; the 
Fowler's Switch canal; the Garfield Ditch company; 
the Emigrant Ditch, and numerous others; all are or 
have been doing work, which requires a large amount 
of men and teams. These are the additional demands 
made upon our hay product this year; to meet which, 
we have not even our usual supply. 

All the hay now held in this county, is owned by 
small farmers, who are holding it for a still farther 
rise on account of the continued drv weather. Grain 
hay is held at $20 to $22 loose, and $25 baled. Alfalfa 
hay brings readily $15 to $18 loose — very little of it is 
bailed. We doubt very much if there is hay enough 
in the county, of any kind, to feed the stock at work, 
until the new crop comes into market. Hay can be 
purchased at San Francisco, baled, at the following 
prices: Wheat, $14; wild oats, $13.50; alfalfa, $13; 
mixed, $11 per ton. Hay has been bought in this 
way, and shipped by rail to Tulare City, and there 
sold at $16 per ton. If bailed grain hay could be de- 
livered here even at $20 per ton, it would command a 
ready sale. Let some of our stablemen, or others 
combine and try the experiment of a few car-loads and 
report the result. 



CALIFORNIA PRODUCTS. 



[Fresno Expositor, Oct. 25, 1882.] 



Professor Joseph Price, for many years a mining ex- 
pert on the Pacific coast, is at present in New York, 
where he has, been telling the newspapers what he 
knows about the products, business and prospects of 



LAND SALES. 



[From the Daily Evening Expositor, Nov. 21, 1882.] 



Real Estate. — By referring to an article in an- 
other column headed Real Estate Transactions it will 
be seen that the boom in that quarter continues. In 
addition to the recorded sales we have private reports 
of a number of important transactions : M. Theo. 



62 



FRESNO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA 



Kearney has sold 100 acres in the Easterby Rancho at 
$50 per acre, and 40 acres at $100 per acre. He has 
a bo sold to capitalists a tract of 480 acres of land 
adjoining- the Henrietta Rancho, at $50 per acre. The 
purchasers of these lands all expect to have them pre- 
pared and planted in orchard and vineyard during the 
winter and coming spring. Mr. Kearney has in turn 
purchased 7.000 acres of land lying 5 miles west of 
Fresno, and expects to put out 640 acres of orchard 
and vineyard on it during the winter. 



THE FRESNO COLONY. 



[Fresno Expositor, Oct. 13, 1883.] 



Last week Messrs. Briggs and Henderson, of River- 
side, visited this section and were shown through the 
colonies and vineyards by Thos. E. Hughes. They 
expressed themselves highly pleased with all they 
saw, and were free to say that our soil was better and 
the irrigation facilities superior to those of Riverside. 
This is the general opinion of all who have seen the 
two localities, yet unimproved land at Riverside is 
held at from $100 to $250 per acre, while here it sells 
from $20 to $50 with water, according to locality. 
And Fresno is much nearer to market than Riverside. 



IMPORTANT SALE OF REAL ESTATE. 



[Fresno Republican , Feb. 17, 1883.] 



We learn that M. Theo. Kearney has sold his vine- 
yard and adjoining land on the Easterby Rancho to 
E. B. Rogers, of New York, for $60,000. The tract 
contains 350 acres of land, 100 acres of which are in 
two-year-old vines and 30 acres in alfalfa, the re- 
mainder being rented to Chinese vegetable gardeners. 
Mr. M. T. Sickal, a relative of Mr. Rogers, will as- 
sume the management of the property at once, and 
increase the area of vineyard this spring. Mr. Rogers 
having determined to have 300 acres of the land in 
vineyard by next winter. In view of the low prices 
at which property has been selling in this county, Mr. 
Kearney has made a good sale. Mr. Rogers, however, 
can congratulate himself upon having purchased one 
of the very best pieces of property in the county. 
With such soil as there is in this tract he can safely 
count upon a yield of 10 tons of grapes per acre from 
his vineyard in a few years from now. At $25 per 
ton the gross yield would be $250 per acre, or a net 
yield of at least $200 per acre, and from his 300 acres 
of vineyard he can therefore safely count upon an an- 
nual income of $60,000. Mr. Kearney has no inten- 
tion of giving up his vineyard enterprises here. He 
has already planted over half a million cuttings in 
nursery for roots with which to plant a vineyard of 
1,000 acres in his recent purchase of 7,000 acres of 
land, 5 miles west of Fresno. 



A NEW COLONY. 



[Fresno Expositor, Dec. 13,1882.] 



G. G. Briggs, of the Washington colony, is making 
ready to set out 170 acres in vines, 100 acres in alfalfa, 
and 160 in fruit the coming season. He is also level- 
ing land for the purpose of erecting a winery. Mr. 
Briggs has sold 1,000 acres south and east of the 
Washington colony to a San Francisco syndicate, who 
purpose to divide it up into 20-acre tracts, with irri- 
gating ditches between them, and to level and check 
5 acres of each tract, so that so much will be ready 
for planting purposes when sold. 



[From Daily Evening Expositor, Nov. 22, 1882.] 



Thomas E. Hughes & Sons, report the sale of 13 
lots in the Fresno colony within one week, and 9 of 
the number were sold to the people of the town. 
The proposed line of street cars will pass directly 
through the colony, thus placing it within 10 minutes 
ride of the business portion of Fresno. This fact is re- 
cognized by the new purchasers, and was a leading in- 
ducement. The colony, however, possesses other ad- 
vantages ; it is contiguous to the cannery, and to the 
winery of Froelich, Leach & Co., making the delivery 
of fruit an easy matter, and also enabling the wives 
and daughters of the colonists, w T ho desire, to work 
at the cannery during the packing season; it is also 
within the limits of this school district, and conse- 
quently the children will enjoy the advantages of 
graded schools. 



RAPID SALES. 



[Fresno Expositor, Dec. 6, 1882.] 



Last week $56,000 in real estate, including 24 col- 
ony lots changed hands through the office of Thomas 
E. "Hughes & Sons, and $10,000 worth through the 
office of Cory & Braly. 



NEW COLONY EXTENSIONS. 



[From the Fresno Expositor, December 6, 1882.] 



The lots of the Fresno colony, with the exception 
of about 9, having been sold, arrangements have 
been made to divide the 1280 acres of land on the east 
into 20 acre lots. Also the land purchased some 
12 months ago by William A. Fisher, on the west, 
containing some 960 acres, have been so subdivided, 
and will be sold in 20 acre tracts. These 2 addi- 
tions make a colony 6 miles wide, east and w r est, and, 
added to the Central, Washington and American col- 
onies, with the Kirby place, which will soon be subdi- 
vided, will make a continuous drive from town of 
about 13 miles through a belt of colonies 3 miles wide, 
upon nearly every 20 acres of which will be a 
family enjoying the fruits and happiness of a cozy 
home, or in other words, there will be nearly 32 
families to the square mile, and in the belt, con- 
sisting of 39 square miles, there will be a population 
of nearly 928 families. Now then, to this belt must 
be added the Easterby Rancho, consisting of 4 sec- 
tions, and the new Briggs colony, at the new railroad 
station of Malaga, east of this belt. Then south of 
the Easterby Rancho comes the Malter ranch of 1600 
acres, that will soon be in the market on the colony 
principle. So it can easily be seen what vast extent 
of country, in the immediate vicinity of Fresno, will 
twinkle at night with the lamp-lights of homes, 
whose occupants are free from the cares of want, and 
enjoying the sweet contentment of satisfied hearts. 



RAPID IMPROVEMENT. 



[From the Fresno Republican, March 3, 1SS3.] 



Five years ago Fresno was just beginning to be 
talked of as a place of possible importance. Fruit 
and vine culture was yet an almost untried experi- 
ment. To-day Fresno is known in every hamlet in 





W I > 



v / 






FMESNO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA* 



63 



the State. Her cheap wooden buildings are rapidly 
giving way to massive and elegant brick blocks and 
line and elegant residences are taking the place of 
small, temporary dwellings. Her fruit and vine in- 
terests have grown to immense proportions. The 
signs of prosperity and vigorous growth are visible on 
every hand. This rapid development has exceeded 
the expectations of the most sanguine. The possibili- 
ties of the future are now rated much higher than 
they were 5 years ago, but we believe that develop- 
ments of the next 5 years will be a greater surprise 
than that of the past. It will be of such vast propor- 
tions that those who contemplate it most closely can 
now hardly realize it. 



IMMUNITY FROM FROST. 



[Fresno Republican, April 28, 1883.] 



The fruit crop of the mountain districts of the 
northern counties of the State was almost entirely 
destroyed by the recent frosts. The Grass Valley 
Tidings says of the effects of the frost in that section:. 
" Xow and then a bunch of grapes may be raised in 
this county this year, but they will be on vines which 
had late pruning. Thursday night the thermometer 
marked 23 degrees above zero, which is 9 degrees be- 
low the freezing point. That was what did the 
business. We will not, this year and in these moun- 
tains, be troubled with agitations of establishing 
canneries, fruit-driers or any other scheme to save the 
crop. In the valleys of the wine producing counties 
it is estimated that from 10 to 20 per cent, of the grape 
crop was destroyed. " These have been exceptionally 
heavy frosts at this time of the year, and the escape 
of Fresno vineyards from any damage whatever brings 
out another very important point of superiority for 
this section. With irrigation and sandy soil, the only 
conditions that give assurance against invasion by 
pholloxera and with certain immunity from damage 
by late frosts, the Fresno vineyardist can look to the 
future serene in the assurance that each season of labor 
will bring its reward. 



. TOWN OF FRESNO. 



[From the Fresno Expositor, April 3, 1883.] 



No one can possibly imagine how rapidly the town 
is growing up, unless they take an occasional walk 
through it. Especially is this the case in the portion 
of Fresno devoted to residences. Fully a dozen new 
residences are built every month, and where, a few 
weeks ago, was an unbroken stretch of prairie, are 
thickly settled neighborhoods. For a while it was 
predicted by many that this building boom would 
cease soon, but from the way that people continue to 
come into the county, coupled with the nattering 
prospects of the season, we look for greater activity 
instead of a decrease. 



ALFALFA. 



[Kern County Californian.] 



Every year witnesses a considerable extension of the 
area devoted to alfalfa in this vicinity. This year it 
will be greater than usual. March and April are con- 



sidered the most favorable months for sowing the seed, 
and a great deal of land is being made ready for this 
purpose. Small farmers are turning their attention to 
it more than ever before. Orchards and vineyards are 
good, no doubt. They may, as the newspapers of Los 
Angeles and San Bernardino are fond of holding up, 
be the best thing to which the small farmer can turn 
his attention; but the idea makes no great progress here. 

* * * Like fruit, a small tract of land produces a 
great deal in the alluvial valleys of the southern part 
of the State. In this vicinity it will produce from 8 
to 16 tons of hay per acre for the season. It is one of 
the most nutritious forage plants in the world. When 
allowed to reach a certain stage of maturity, so that 
the seed begins to form, its fattening properties for 
cattle, horses, sheep, pigs and all kinds of poultry is 
surprising. A field of it will sustaiu, at the rate of 2 
cows, or other stock in proportion, to the acre, all the 
year round. Horses thrive upon it better than any 
other stock. The man who grows stock — which he 
7nust necessarily do if he seeds his land to alfalfa, and 
finds the product of his time and labor each year in the 
shape of cattle, horses or sheep — is emancipated from 
the railroads. * * * The owner of a cpiarter 
section, the greater part of it seeded to alfalfa, can 
live in a state of comfort, educate his children, save a 
little every year without working hard, and, above all, 
feel independent. The rich lands of this valley can 
be devoted to no better crop, at this time, than alfalfa. 

* * * Stock-raising is the natural resource of every 
region without transportation facilities, and we are 
peculiarly fortunate in the adaption of our soil to the 
growth of a remarkably prolific and nutritious grass 
that enables us to turn off 4 times the number of ani- 
mals from a given area that is usually done in places 
similarly situated. 



3,000 ACRE ALFALFA FIELD. 



[Fresno Expositor, Dec. 6, 1882.] 



The Smith brothers, who purchased the 5 sections 
comprising the American colony, propose to put 1 
section (640 acres) in alfalfa the coming year. Each 
succeeding year they intend to put in an additional 
section, until the 5 sections are all planted. This is 
necessary, as they expect to extensively engage in 
stock-raisincf. . 



ALFALFA. 



The Fresno Expositor says : A vine- grower of this 
county offered, within a few days, S800 in gold for a 
hundred tons of alfalfa hay, to be delivered during the 
season. As an acre of alfalfa, properly irrigated and 
occasionally fertilized, will yield an average of a ton 
of hay to a cutting, and five cuttings in a season, it is 
no difficult matter to determine that it is an exceed- 
ingly valuable crop, and that it should be more ex- 
tensively planted. At 88 per ton, the price offered 
above, and there is no winter but that it is worth 
more, an acre of alfalfa will yield an average of 860 
per annum. As land in any of the colonies, with water 
can be purchased at .$50 per acre, it will be seen that 
a farmer can pay for his land in one season. That we 
do not over estimate the yield per acre of this valuable 
plant, everyone who has had experience in its culture 
can testify. We know of parties who enriched their 
alfalfa fields by liberal top-dressing, who secured over 
twelve tons of hay per acre in a single season. 



64 



FRESNQ COUNTY, CAMFQBNIA 




THE SAN JO AQUIN..V ALLEY— FROM THE SIERRA. 



FRESNO COtiMTt. ®AUF@MNM 



65 



EVERGREEN MILLET AHEAD OF 
ALFALFA. 



[Kern County Gazette.] 

Some of our citizens are interesting themselves in the 
Arabian Millet. Extensive planting of the seed is 
being made in Tulare county upon proof, on the dryest 
of the soils there, that it surpasses alfalfa. James 
Morton, of that county, says of it: "We think it is as 
far ahead of alfalfa, as alfalfa is of the wild grasses of 
California." The roots are known to go down in 
the earth from 5 to 15 feet. The Los Angeles Times 
says of the sample at that office : "It grows to a height 
of from 6 to 8 feet, resembles the orchard grass 
in appearance, and is greatly liked by stock of all 
kinds." The New York Tropic says the experiments 
in New Jersey soil and climate, sowed in May, in 
drills 18 inches apart, at the rate of 4 pounds per acre, 
in 12 days the plants were up so that a cultivator 
was ran between the rows, after which no cultivation 
was possible, owing to the astonishing growth, which 
crowded down every other vegetation. The first cut- 
ting was made July 1st, just 45 days after sowing; it 
was then 7 feet high, covering the whole ground, and 
weighed, while green, 30 tons to the acre, and dry, 
6 J tons per acre. The second cutting was the 15th of 
August. Its height was then 9 feet, weighing green 
55 tons per acre, and dry, 8 tons. There has been a 
positive want, on the part of stock-raisers in the valley, 
for a grass of something of the character of timothy, to 
feed at certain seasons alternately with clover. This 
has been so much a necessity that portions of the farm 
have been left uncultivated in salt grass, and it seemed 
that the stock paid more attention to the coarse grass 
than to the alfalfa. The evergreen millet, from all 
reliable accounts, is destined to take this place, and 
this valley should be supplied with it without delay. 



Evergreen Millet. — We have had frequent inquiries 
from friends where they could obtain the seed of the 
now popular evergreen millet. Hon. J. 0. Lovejoy, of 
Tulare City, has secured a quantity of the seed from 
Messrs. Page & Morton, and is now prepared to furnish 
all who may apply with fresh seed. Mr. Lovejoy in- 
forms us that seed sowed on the 26th of April, last 
year, grew so thriftly that 3 cuttings were obtained 
from it before the last of October. — Fresno Expositor. 



A. Ashbrook, Superintendent of the Doble Rancho, 
in the Liberty neighborhood, has just returned from 
San Francisco, where he has been to secure a quantity 
of seed for planting a field of evergreen millet on the 
rancho. He informs us that he will at once plant 160 
acres of land with this grass. — Fresno Expositor, 
March 14, 1883. 



The Expositor learns that E. W. Chapman will plant 
300 acres of evergreen millet on his ranch near Borden, 
Fresno County, this season. 



SHEEP RAISING IN FRESNO. 



[From the Fresno Republican.] 



sons, the assessment rolls show about three-quarters 
of a million as an average, with an annual wool clip 
of four and a half million pounds. The greater 
part of the 5,600,000 acres in the county are adapted 
to and used for sheep range. The 300,000 acres 
of lowland and swamp in the center of the val- 
ley and the rough foot-hills are used for cattle ranges, 
but these, at certain seasons, are divided into ranges 
of from 2,000 to 20,000 acres each, upon which the 
sheep are kept from October till June, and in some in- 
stances during the entire year. The bulk of the sheep 
properly belonging to the county are driven to the 
mountains in the summer, where the ranges are marked 
by natural boundaries, and where rights secured by 
continual occupancy from season to season are recog- 
nized and respected by the different owners. As a 
rule, not more than one sheep to the acre of range can 
be calculated upon, and on the poorer or more sandy 
land 3 acres are required for pasturage of 1 sheep. 
.Uncultivated plains range rents at ivom 10 to 15 cents 
an acre per year. Notwithstanding the disappearance 
of free range, the expense of moving to and from the 
mountains, and the general low price of wool, wool- 
growing appears to be the most profitable as well as 
the most important industry in the county. Properly 
managed, it rarely fails to bring a profit of 20 per 
cent, on the capital invested, and in favorable years 
and good locations it often greatly exceeds these esti- 
mates. The business is not overdone, nor is it likely 
to become less important or less profitable. The nu- 
merous settlements are necessitating smaller ranges 
and smaller flocks, while the uncertainty of the sea- 
sons makes it hazardous for single owners to hold the 
enormous flocks heretofore the rule. 

It is believed that sheep-owners will adopt the plan 
of having a part of their ranches irrigated and sown 
to alfalfa, and make calculations upon feeding all sheep 
a short time in the fall before the grass starts. When 
this plan shall have been generally adopted, the busi- 
ness, as an industry, will be permanent, unfluctuating 
and profitable, and of much more importance than is 
possible under the present system. Sheep range in 
value from $1.50 to $3 a head, depending upon quality 
and time of year. Wool brings from 12 to 20 cents 
per pound in the fall, and from 15 to 25 cents a pound 
in the spring. Shearing is usually done during April 
and September. 



Fi.'33tio ranks first amon^ the counties of the State 
in the number of sheep anl the production of wool. 
Although the number fluctuates greatly with the sea- 



THE LARGEST GRAIN FARM 
IN THE WORLD, 

Owned and farmed by Dr. H. J. Glenn. While in Colusa 
a short time ago, we visited the doctor's farm. He had 
52,000 acres of grain to harvest this year. Wheat is 
a light crop this season on account of the drought. 
The doctor calculates his crop will average only about 
twelve bushels to the acre, which will make 624,000 
bushels from this one California farm, that will go out 
through the Golden Gate to feed foreign nations. 
There are a great number of large wheat farms in 
Colusa Col. Geo. Hagar has a farm of 17,000 acres ; 
Edgar Mills, a banker from Sacramento, owns about 
14,000, besides some 18,600 acres which he owns with 
Mr. John Boggs ; L. F. Moulton has 20,000 acres ; 
Mr. Anderson D. Logan has recently sold his home 
"ranch" of 15,260 acres for $182,000 to Mr. Garnett, 
of the firm of McCune & Garnett, of Dixon, Solano 
county, who are among the most successful wheat 
farmers in the State. Peter Peterson has 10,140 acres, 
and we notice a number of large wheat farms, ranging 
from 2,009 to 5,090 acres, all over the country. — Re- 
sources of California. 



66 



FRESNO COfTlfTY, 0AEIEOMNIA 



THE LARGEST VINEYARD IN THE 
WORLD. 



GOVERNOR STANFORD S VINEYARD. 



Iu speaking of the largest vineyard in the world 
owned by one man, the Tehama Tocsin, published in 
Red Bluff, says: 

Vina is a railroad station with a few hundred in- 
habitants. Aside from other railroad stations it mainly 
owes its importance and influence to two facts — that is 
its rich soil and its susceptibility of irrigation, and 
that it is mainly owned by ex-Governor Stanford, the 
railroad magnate, who is determined to spare no money 
to make that section blossom into full productiveness. 
A few years ago Gov. Stanford bought the main 
portion, 10,000 acres, of the Gerke grant. This in- 
cluded some of the most productive land that ever 
laid out doors, and cost the purchaser upwards of $200,- 
000. We are reliably informed that Gov. Stanford has 
visited Vina but twice since he made his purchase. Be- 
fore he visited the place at all, his agent had 1,000 
acres of land in vines. In the meantime an elaborate 
irrigation scheme, with main and counter ditches, had 
been provided; and now the whole tract can be freely 
irrigated from the celebrated waters of Deer creek. 
Twice, since Governor Stanford possessed this rich in- 
heritance has he visited it, and yet improvements have 
rapidly progressed. Last year he had planted 1,000 acres 
of vineyard, and this year 1,500 acres more. This will 
make the largest vineyard owned by any one man in 
the world. A. tract of 600 acres has been planted to 
alfalfa (all irrigated) which indicates that Stanford in- 
tends to have a first-class ranch to fall back on should 
the Railroad Commission cinch him too tight. Mr. 
Smith superintends this entire possession, and the fact 
that Governor Stanford has visited it but twice, is evi- 
dence that he gives entire satisfaction. A lot of new 
buildings have been built, which we have no room to 
refer to at this time. But sufficient it is to say that 
Governor Stanford is preparing a possession at Vina 
that will not be second to a principality when it 
matures. 



ALMOND CULTURE. 



[Fresno Expositor] 



Mr. McNeil, of the Gould ranch, informs us that the 
prospects for a large crop of all kinds of fruit on his 
place are better than he has ever seen them. It has 
been estimated by persons competent to judge that he 
will have, at least, 100 tons of peaches. He will also 
have large quantities of pears, plums, apricots, prunes, 
etc. His almond trees are also loaded with nuts. It 
has been asserted that the almond tree would not bear 
in Fresno, and Mr. McNeil had been advised to cut 
down his trees and substitute something else in their 
stead. A visit to his place would convince the most 
skeptical that almonds can be grown here, and can 
also be made to pay a handsome profit. • 



APRICOTS. 



[San Francisco Bulletin.] 



A brisk demand has recently been made by English 
houses for canned apricots. It was noticed years ago 
that the dried apricot of California was the best of all 
the dried fruits known in this country. We are told 
that hardly one-third of English orders for canned 
apricots can be filled by the canning establishments of 
this coast. The apricot comes to greater perfection in 



this State than anywhere else. In fact, there is some- 
thing like a monopoly of this fruit here ; and now that 
such a demand has sprung up for it, there is no pros- 
pect that the supply will ever exceed the demand. It 
may be set down as beyond a reasonable doubt that 
raisins and apricots will never glut the market so long 
as this foreign outlet exists. 



PRUNES. 



[Napa Register.] 



The season for planting fruit trees is near at hand, 
and the following suggestion to Napa county orchard- 
ists is- in order : In Santa Clara Valley considerable 
attention is paid to the raising of French prunes, a 
fruit which, when well cured, finds a ready market at 
remunerative figures. So profitable has the cultivation 
of this fruit become in the valley named that an 
increased acreage is yearly planted to the trees. Dur- 
ing the season just passed 1 or 2 farmers in this 
valley raised and marketed a considerable amount of 
this fruit at a profit. The proprietor of the largest 
fruit cannery on this coast informed the writer that 
the market for good prunes would never be over- 
stocked. The product of a 10-acre prune orchard 
near San Jose was sold a few months ago, on the 
trees, for $3,000. When picked, the fruit is dipped 
into weak, hot lye, and then either cured in patent 
dryers or in the sun. 



RAISINS IN TWO YEARS. 



[Fresno Republican.] 



Mrs. J. A. Smith, of the Central Colony, will pack 
100 boxes or more of raisins raised upon vines set 
out 2 years ago. She will also have a. large number of 
figs, some of them from trees set out last winter. 
The growth of trees and vines on her place has been 
almost marvelous. 



STRAWBERRIES. 



[Fresno Republican.] 

S. O. Booth, living in the Central Colony, has this 
season picked and sold 2,100 pounds of strawberries 
from a piece of ground, by actual measurement, a rod 
and a quarter over a quarter of an acre. The total 
receipts were $170. He is still picking a few of the 
British Queen variety. 



SWEET POTATOES. 



[Fresno Expositor.] 



Last week we were presented with a hill of sweet 
potatoes grown on the lot of Mrs. A. A. Davis, at the 
Central California Colony. The hill weighed within a 
couple of ounces of 20 pounds. The potatoes were of 
the white variety, and were very large and fine. We 
are informed that this hill was but a fair sample of a 
large patch growing on her lot. Sweet potatoes grow 
almost spontaneously at the Colouy. 



Good Yield. — Mr. John Taylor, of the Nevada 
Colony, raised 6 tons of the finest potatoes ever seen 
in this market off 1 acre of ground, and out 33 tons of 
excellent wheat hay from 11 acres. 



FME&M& @@>WWT J ¥,, @AMIF@iM-WZA 



67 



APRICOT LANDS. 



[Eiverside Horticulturist.] 



Choice apricot lands are being rapidly taken up for 
actual settlement and improvement. As a result, such 
landsare rapidly enhancing in value. Land that 6 months 
ago sold for $25 and $30 per acre, is now as readily 
selling for $75, and land that 3 months ago sold at $50 
is now changing hands at $125 per acre. 

People who have fruit land with good water-right, 
need be in no hurry to sell at present prices. 



for want of bees to gather it is of more value than the 
gold gathered. It is estimated that the honey crop 
collected annually is worth $8,800,000. Of this 
amount, $1 ,200,000 worth of honey and 700,000 pounds 
of wax are exported, and yet, says the writer, the 
culture is only in its infancy. Two Michigan farmers, 
both of whom own large tracts of cultivated ground, 
had informed him that the profit on their bees exceed- 
ed that of their farms. 



SUGAR AND SYRUI 



[Fresno Expositor.] 



We have on our table a bottle of syrup as clear as 
honey, and of excellent flavor, made from sorghum 
cane raised by Professor Sanders. The yield is over 
100 gallons of this beautiful syrup per acre. It is 
manufactured by Mr. Carr, a neighbor of Professor 
Sanders. Its excellence may be attributable, in part, to 
care in making, and doubtless in a great degree to 
pureness of seed from which the cane grew. Professor 
Sanders has African cane, also amber cane, growing, 
from which the manufacture of sugar will be attempted. 



TOBACCO. 



[Fresno Expositor.] 



The success that has hitherto attended tobacco cul- 
ture in this county, is convincing evidence that an 
excellent article of tobacco can be grown on the Fresno 
plains. We think that persons owning lands sus- 
ceptible of irrigation, and acquainted with the manner 
of growing and curing tobacco, would find it a profit- 
able crop to cultivate here. 



FRESNO COUNTY BRANDY. 



[Fresno Republican.] 



The first carload of brandy produced here was 
shipped to San Francisco last week from the well 
known Eisen vineyard near this place. The shipment 
consisted of 2,500 gallons of choice proof grape brandy, 
and although one year old it had already developed a 
flavor equal to any French brandy. 



HONEY— "MILLIONS IN IT." 



[Tuolurne Independent.] 



Mr. Robert Thwaite suggests, in a communication, 
that it would be profitable for all farmers to keep a 
few colonies of honey bees. There is a large quantity 
of honey sold in Philadelphia, he says, which comes 
from California and New York, and but very little 
from Pennsylvania. In 1876 Mr. J. S. Harbison 
shipped from his 6 apiaries, in San Diego county, Cali- 
fornia, 10 car-loads of honey, each car containing 
20,000 pounds, or 200,000 in all. The income of this 
gentleman on his honey amounts to $25,000 per annum. 
A. gentleman in New York in 1874 sold 58,000 pounds 
of honey from his own apiaries. It is much easier, 
says Mr. Thwaite, to produce pasturage (in addition 
to natural resources ) to supply 100 hives than to sup- 
ply 100 head of sheep. The profit of this being more 
than in the sheep. The honey lost in California 



DAIRY BUSINESS. 



[Petalnma Courier.] 



The dairy business is on the increase in southern 
Sonoma. The good prices for butter and cheese this 
season has given it quite a boost, and dairies and dairy 
cows are in demand. Dairy ranches with cows are rent- 
ing this year for from $25 to $28 per cow per annum, 
and we have been told of one ranch of 40 cows that $30 
per cow was offered and refused. Dairy cows are in 
demand and higher than usual. We have heard of the 
entire stock of 2 diaries in this section being sold 
recently at $40 per cow for the whole lot. Good grain 
and potato lands rent for from $5 to $6 per acre. Good 
vegetable lands, of course, rent much higher. 



LUMBER IN FRESNO. 



Owing to the mildness of the climate, very ordinary 
buildings can be made to answer for dwellings, and a 
shed is all that is absolutely necessary for horses and 
cattle. There are several lumber-mills in the county, 
and lumber is therefore cheap, varying from $15 to $25 
per thousand. 



FIREWOOD IN FRESNO. 



By planting willows and blue gum trees on the bor- 
ders of the farms, an abundance of firewood can be 
grown there in a few years. In the meantime, moun- 
tain oak can be brought into Fresno at $6 per cord, and 
by driving to the mountains or King's river, it can be 
had for 50 cents per cord, and the cutting and hauling. 
Fuel is not needed here from one year's end to the 
other, except for cooking, therefore a little wood will 
last a loner time. 



HOT WEATHER. 



[Fresno Republican.] 



About the most serious objection heard of Fresno 
county is the hot weather — and yet people who croak, 
overlook the fact, that during this hottest weather 
people work hard all day in the harvest field, building 
canals, teaming and, in fact, any and everything re- 
quired to be done, and that cases of sunstroke are un- 
known, and prostration by heat not frequent. In St. 
Louis and all the Eastern cities, the heat is dangerous 
at 95 degrees, and terribly destructive at 100 degrees; 
but here 106 degrees is unusual nor seriously oppressive. 
The temperature East is like that of a steam bath; 
here more like a hot air bath; the dry wind causing 
rapid evaporation and lowering the temperature of the 
body. People must grumble, and the hot weather 
serves as a pretext, but, really, our summer weather 
is less oppressive than in the East, and not so hot as in 
the foothills further north. 



68 



FRE§N0 COUNTY, CALlFOMNlA 



SHIPPING POULTRY TO THE SAN 
FRANCISCO MARKET. 



[Southern Calif ornian.] 



The wife of one of the first farmers in the valley 
below Baker-stield has shipped over 500 fowls to the 
San Francisco market during the season. She has 
them killed and picked, but not drawn, and packed in 
kegs and forwarded by express. Fowls shipped to 
that market, if drawn, are considered as shipped from 
the Western States, and not fresh. There have been 
no losses in the shipments, and a cash market is found 
for all that can be sent. Many of our farmers say 
the}' would rather have the profit from a hen than 
from a hog or sheep. 



[Chicago Commercial Advertiser.] 
The traffic in eggs in this country is estimated to 
aggregate -f 180, 000, 000 annually. Hens are prosperity. 



COTTON. 



[Fresno Republican.] 

The subject of cotton culture in the San Joaquin 
valley has attracted but little attention for the last few 
years, the last attempt in this vicinity being made by 
A. H. Statham, of Fresno, on his farm near Center- 
ville. Although labor was scarce, and higher than at 
present, it netted him more than a crop of wheat or 
barley. On the colonies, where labor can be had when 
wanted, and at reasonable rates, cotton would probably 
now pay a large profit. The cost of seed is trifling, 
the cultivation no more than corn, and but little water 
required. An acre would yield a bale, or 500 pounds 
of ginned cotton, worth from 15 to 18 cents per pound — 
say $80 per acre. The seed of late years has become 
quite valuable, and would very nearly pay expenses of 
cultivation, ginning, etc. The cost of a gin-press would 
amount to about $100. These could be erected at a 
central point and do the ginning for a large number 
of colonists. The cultivation of cotton would furnish 
lucrative employment to a large number of young 
people, and always bring the cash, without fear of an 
overstocked market. 



AN IMPORTANT ENTERPRISE BY M. 
THEO. KEARNEY. 



A Proposed Rival to Riverside in Fresno. 

[From the Fresno Republican, March 10, 1883.] 



That portion of our county lying east of the town of 
Fresno, having received most attention from capital- 
ists and settlers during the past 3 years, has de- 
veloped with such rapid strides that a large part of 
the choice land of that section is already in the hands 
of cultivators. Where 3 years ago nothing could be 
seen, with the exception of the Eisen Vineyard and 
Easterby Rancho, but a wide stretch of plain occupied 
by roving bands of sheep, now may be found mag- 
nificent properties like that of the Barton Vineyard of 
600 acres, cultivated and improved with the highest 
degree of skill, and in so thorough a manner that al- 
ready nearly $150,000 has been expended upon it. 
The Eggers Vineyard, of 500 acres, is another indica- 
tion of the prominent position our county is taking in 
grape culture,, while the vineyards of Goodman, 
Forsyth, Woodworth, Pew and others, each contain- 
ing 160 acres, swell the record of Fresno's progress in 
grape culture. Probably the most remarkable in- 



stance of development in the county is the change pro- 
duced in the Easterby Rancho since 1879 through the 
enterprise, energy and skill of Mr. Theo. Kearney. 

In 1878 Mr. Kearney completed the sale of farms in 
the Central California colony and in the following 
year purchased the Easterby Rancho of 2,500 acres. 
Engineers and laborers were immediately employed 
in subdividing the property, laying out avenues and 
building irrigating canals. Sales of various sized 
tracts were made shortly after and an incorporated 
company, the Fresno Vineyard company, was organ- 
ized by Mr. Kearney, the stock of which was all sub- 
scribed for at once by prominent capitalists and wine 
dealers of San Francisco. 

In 1879 the whole 2,500 acres were cultivated in 
grain, employing only 6 or 8 men, and yielding, with- 
out irrigation, a very small profit ; now (March, 1883) 
there are 1,700 acres planted in vineyard, of which the 
Fresno Vineyard company with 450 acres, G. H. Mal- 
ter, with 320 acres, A. B. Butler, with 250 acres, Mr. 
Theo. Kearney, with 100 acres, Geo. H. Tay, with 
160 acres, and others with smaller tracts, give employ- 
ment to hundreds of laborers in certain seasons of the 
year. Formerly a rough house and barn were all the 
improvements required. ; now, elegant mansions, with 
grounds tastefully laid out and ornamented with rare 
trees and shrubs, and beautiful flowers adorn the land- 
scape. Formerly, an annual profit of $10 per acre from 
this rancho was considered entirely satisfactory; now 
the owner of a producing vineyard counts on an annual 
profit of at least $200 per acre. The elements neces- 
sary to produce these results are rich soil, water for 
irrigation and a favorable climate, all of which nature 
supplies with an unstinted hand in Fresno county ; 
to which must be added by man, intelligent labor, 
patience and capital. 

While that portion of the county east of the town 
was being developed, the section of the county west 
of the town was allowed to remain dormant. A 
marked change, however, is about to take place on the 
west side. The Upper San Joaquin Canal company is 
now constructing, at a cost of over $200,000, a canal 
to irrigate a body of 100,000 acres of very fine land on 
the west side, which will be finished early next winter. 
The Fresno Canal and Irrigation company, not to be 
outdone in enterprise, will soon commence the exten- 
sion of a branch canal to the same district capable of 
irrigating 20,000 acres of land, which will probably be 
completed in a few months. With this certainty of 
an ample supply of water, Mr. Kearney has concluded 
to transfer his labors to the west side district and will 
shortly commence the improvement of a tract of 6.700 
acres he owns there, and which lies about 5 miles 
distant from town. He proposes laying out an avenue 
from town to and through his tract (10 miles), which 
will be 100 feet wide, with 3 roadways, each roadway 
to be lined with handsome shade trees. Avenues 80 
feet wide will be run through the tract every half mile 
east, west, north and south, subdividing the land into 
blocks of 160 acres each. Three rows of handsome 
shade trees will be planted on each side of all these 
avenues. A thorough system of canals for irrigating 
the whole tract will also be constructed. 

A stock company is now being organized in New 
York with a capital of $1,000,000," to plant 2,000 acres 
of this tract in vineyard. Cuttings have already been 
planted in nursery in the Easterby Rancho, to furnish 
roots for planting 1,000 acres of this vineyard next 
winter. Mr. Kearney expects to sell the remainder of 
this tract in parcels of not less than 160 acres each, to 
parties of means who will improve their properties in 
a first-class manner. The lowest price at which this 
land will be offered for sale is $100 per acre, and it is 
not his intention to place this property an the market 
for sale till after the 2,000 acre vineyard is estab- 
lished. 




A WINTER SCENE IN THE SIERRA. 



:--«-3K-- L ^- ^ ^\ 4\ .^ ^" Jf\ -tK-wsjK ^^gvg^ 




M. FME@. EEAMWEW, 



DEALER IN 



AGRICULTUEAL LAND 



Special attention given to the Organization and Locating of Colonies in California. 
Formerly Manager of the Central California Colony, Easterby Eancho Colony, Fresno 
Vineyard Company, etc., of Fresno County. 

OFFICE, 22 MONTGOMERY STREET, 

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA. 



I 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



017 168 271 ft 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




017 168 271 A # 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 






017 168 271 A 4 



